Family: Paternity test from Gipper's DNA proves negative

[douglas9]

Source: Associated Press (South Bend Tribune)

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — DNA from the recently exhumed body of college football hero George Gipp shows he was not the father of a child born shortly before his death, quelling longstanding rumors, relatives said Saturday.Gipp's remains were taken Oct. 4 for testing from a cemetery near the Upper Peninsula village of Laurium. Rick Frueh, whose grandmother was Gipp's sister, said in a statement he authorized the exhumation, which angered some family members.

Gipp died in 1920 from pneumonia and a strep infection during his senior year at Notre Dame, where he was the school's first All-America selection and set a school career rushing record that stood for more than 50 years.

He is known for the deathbed exhortation attributed to him years later by coach Knute Rockne, who rallied the underdog Fighting Irish by telling them Gipp had urged the team when the chips were down to "win one for the Gipper."

The phrase became a political slogan for Ronald Reagan, who portrayed Gipp in the 1940 movie "Knute Rockne, All American."

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