Notre Dame football: Former Irish standout Louis Nix dead at 29

Former Notre Dame football star Louis Nix was found dead on Saturday at the age of 29.

Tragedy has struck the Notre Dame football program, as former Irish defensive tackle Louis Nix was found deceased on Saturday at the age of 29.

Nix had been reported missing in the Jacksonville area on Wednesday. His mother confirmed to Ben Becker of Action News JAX that her son had passed away. Nix’s 2014 Hyundai Azera was pulled from a pond near his apartment by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was last seen driving the car on Tuesday before he disappeared. What a heartbreaking night for the Notre Dame family.

Louis Nix was an integral part of Notre Dame’s 2012 national runner-up team

While Nix spent three years in the NFL with four different franchises, he is best known as the disruptive defensive lineman on Notre Dame’s fantastic 2012 team. Along with All-American linebacker Manti Te’o, the Irish navigated a perfect 12-0 season en route to a national championship game berth. Though they were blown out by Alabama, this team was incredible.

2012 was only Brian Kelly’s third year in South Bend. Notre Dame had not been a championship-caliber team since Lou Holtz was roaming the sidelines in the late 1980s. Nix, Te’o and the rest of the 2012 team laid the foundation for what was to come down the line for the Irish. Notre Dame has since made it to two College Football Playoffs in the last three seasons. They set the tone.

As this news story develops in Jacksonville, our thoughts and prayers are with Nix’s family.

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