Rick Mirer left the University of Notre Dame as the school’s most prolific passer, setting multiple school records while moving above the likes of Irish icons Joe Montana and Joe Theismann in the process.
The star quarterback was drafted second overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1993 NFL Draft. Mirer made an immediate impact as he again, set multiple NFL rookie passing marks on his way to playing each of his team’s games as a rook, a feat that has only happened a handful of times in league history. He was named co Offensive Rookie of the Year for his immense efforts.
Over the course of his decade plus long NFL career, Mirer threw for nearly 12,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.
In our newest installment of Card Back Q&A, Mirer talks about breaking so many of those ND passing records, answering the question if he was born to play QB, his love of rock and roll music (and memorabilia) and much more.
Tony Reid–The back of your 1993 Topps card says ‘Rick is noted for his exceptional athleticism, savvy and clutch play. He shattered Joe Theismann’s Notre Dame record for career touchdown passes.” What did it mean to be able to break the records of some of the greatest QBs ever at one of the most prestigious universities and programs of all time?
Rick Mirer-It was fun. All of the records have been broken. There is so much passing now. Over time, all of the things kind of add up differently. I was proud of that. It felt good to be high on the list when you finished. You look back a few years later and now you are fifth. We did what we could while we could and it was fun to do it. 
TR-On your 1994 Flair Pro Visions card it states ‘Rick Mirer was hailed by many as the Fighting Irish’s 90’s version of Joe Montana and in the tradition of the Chiefs QB, Mirer responded with a quietly brilliant rookie campaign.’ Again to be compared to the best of the best from the long, storied history of Notre Dame, had to be an honor and a lot of pressure. What did you take away from your rookie season that included a lot of trials and tribulations but also a lot of great moments and record breaking stats?
RM-I was proud to start all 16 games. It was a long season. They always talk about the rookies hitting the wall. I got beat up pretty good but I showed up and could play every game. The team got better. I think we were on the right track. There was a coaching change after my second year but it was like breathing through a fire hose. We didn’t have much time to get comfortable. You are going to get ready and play. We just did our best. 
TR–Your 1994 Topps card states that you were “seemingly born to play QB.” Did it feel that way?
RM-It was my position, for sure. As a younger kid, I was a running back. We didn’t play tackle football until seventh grade where I grew up. I always felt like a leader. I was comfortable in that role. I wanted to call the plays and help get guys in the right spots. Yeah, I guess I am the right size and shape for it. It was the only way I knew how to do it.
TR–Countless cards mention your toughness, your poise, your on-field leadershiip. Where does that makeup in mindset come from?
RM– It wasn’t really sophisticated, I will say that. We had a good high school program. My dad had been the coach for a long time. We had a good class and we had good teams. Somebody had to be the leader. We had multiple leaders on both sides of the ball but the quarterback always winds up getting the praise when things go right and a little too much blame when it doesn’t. I was fine with that. It was fun to be in the pressure situations and have to come through. We don’t come through all the time but more often than not it worked out and it was fun to be the leader of that squad.
TR–The last card back isn’t so much a card comment or question but something I noticed. You are pictured wearing a Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt on the back of your 1995 Upper Deck card. Can you speak to your love of rock music and its influence on your life?
RM- I always loved it. When I went to Seattle it was the peak of the grunge era and all of those bands were in town. It was fun to see them over time, not that the Peppers were one of them. That picture must have been coming off the practice field. I would mix it up. It was kind of an attitude t-shirt. It was never intended to be on a card. Music was my release and I loved the old artwork on these old posters that really were literally on telephone poles advertising concerts. I have collected a lot of different things but that is the stuff that is still with us and prominently displayed ion our house. It’s good color, too, especially the older stuff. They are really cool and there is a lot of work that went into some of those characters. Some are shots of the band and some are wild paintings and characters.
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