(National Football Foundation)
With a name like Stonebreaker, destiny seemed to have already picked his path. Growing up in River Ridge, Louisiana, Michael David Stonebreaker quickly made a name for himself as one of the state’s premier high school football players at John Curtis Christian School. The dominant linebacker helped the Patriots claim three state championships and, as a senior, was named Louisiana’s Outstanding Defensive Player and the defensive MVP of the state title game.
From River Ridge to South Bend
A highly sought-after recruit, Stonebreaker arrived in South Bend in 1986 as part of Lou Holtz’s first recruiting class. He immediately made his presence felt, both on and off the field.
The “Three Amigos”
At Notre Dame, Stonebreaker became part of the legendary linebacker trio known as the “Three Amigos,” alongside Frank Stams and Wes Pritchett. The trio wasn’t just a force on the field—they shared a camaraderie that captured the imagination of Irish fans everywhere. Their fame reached its peak during the 1988 national championship season.
College Career and Championship Glory
Stonebreaker’s football IQ, instincts, and pass-coverage skills made him the anchor of a Notre Dame defense that powered the undefeated Irish to the 1988 national title. He recorded 104 tackles, second on the team, and helped limit opponents to just 12.3 points per game. The season culminated in a 34-21 Fiesta Bowl win over West Virginia, sealing the championship.
A two-time First Team All-American—consensus in 1988 and unanimous in 1990—Stonebreaker also finished third in the Butkus Award voting twice. Lou Holtz summed it up best in 1988:
“Michael simply plays the game the way it should be played—clean, hard, intelligently, and within a total team concept.”
Clutch Plays and Senior Heroics
After missing the 1989 season due to injury, Stonebreaker returned in 1990 with a vengeance, leading the Irish with 95 tackles and making some of the season’s most memorable defensive plays:
- Michigan: A fourth-quarter interception helped secure a 28-24 win.
- Michigan State: Another late interception preserved a 20-19 victory.
- No. 2 Miami: A fumble recovery at the Irish two-yard line sealed a 29-20 upset.
That 1990 team went 9-3, earned an Orange Bowl berth against Colorado, and finished No. 6 in the final polls.
Career Totals and Legacy
Over three seasons at Notre Dame, Stonebreaker tallied 220 tackles, eight pass breakups, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), four forced fumbles, and five sacks—cementing his place among the all-time great Irish linebackers.
Drafted in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Stonebreaker went on to play three seasons in the NFL with Chicago, Atlanta, and New Orleans, followed by a stint in the World League with the Frankfurt Galaxy in 1995.
An Irish Original
With a name seemingly made for the linebacker position, Mike Stonebreaker delivered on every level—grit, leadership, and clutch play. Alongside his “Three Amigos,” he helped shape one of Notre Dame’s most storied defenses and left a lasting legacy of toughness, teamwork, and intelligence. And hMIchael Stonebreaker is this week’s Fighting Irish Preview, All-Time Irish Hero.