ChiefsPlanet - Notre Dame fans angry with Jordan Black over MNF introduction

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Kansas City lineman catching fire from Notre Dame fans

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
December 16, 2004

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- All he said was, "Jordan Black, Dallas Christian High School.'' That was more than enough to upset many Notre Dame fans.

The Kansas City offensive tackle admits he's miffed at his alma mater for firing coach Tyrone Willingham, but insisted he was only seeking to promote his Mesquite, Texas, high school during TV introductions Monday night.

The calls began flooding in quickly.

"As crazy as some of the comments have been, I think I've probably burned a lot of bridges,'' said Black, who started 42 games for the Fighting Irish. ``Notre Dame thinks I'm the devil.''

Black, a fifth-round draft pick in 2003, made his first NFL start at right tackle in the Chiefs' 49-38 victory over Tennessee.

He said before the game he would probably identify himself by his high school, which is on a fund-raising drive. But he also made it clear he did not like the way Notre Dame handled the coaching situation.

"It doesn't seem like they did their homework or had a plan,'' Black said Wednesday.

Willingham, fired with three years left on his contract, was 21-15 in three seasons at the school -- the shortest tenure for a non-interim Notre Dame coach in 70 years.

Utah coach Urban Meyer, believed to be Notre Dame's top pick to replace Willingham, instead took the Florida job. Notre Dame has since hired New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

"I love Notre Dame and I'm grateful for what they did for me,'' Black said. "But I wasn't too impressed with the way they went about their coaching search. It didn't seem like they had a plan at all.''

Black played for Willingham his senior year and was sorry the coach was not allowed to finish his contract.

"I had friends calling me right after the game and (Tuesday) saying, `What's the deal? What are you doing?''' Black said. ``There's a message board, `ND Nation,' and people are just ripping into me.''

He's not responding.

"Some of the comments people are making don't even deserve a response,'' he said. ``I love Notre Dame. I wish them the best and I always will.

"It was just a situation where I wanted to promote my high school, and all the ND alums out there, or whoever they are, didn't like it. There are a lot of people who are hacked off at me.''

He does not regret what he did.

"I'm always going to be honest about how I feel,'' Black said. ``If somebody doesn't like it, that's their problem.''

But everyone at Dallas Christian High School is happy, he said.

"But as far as Notre Dame goes, I haven't heard one positive thing,'' Black explained. ``It's just a case of people not understanding what my intentions are: to promote my high school.''

Next time he starts on Monday night, things will be different, he said.

"Yeah, I'll say, `Notre Dame,' he promised. "I did what I told my high school I was going to do and now I can mention Notre Dame.''