In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Notre Dame Football starting guard Rocco Spindler.

Rocco Spindler is the son of Marc Spindler, a former NFL defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions.

He shares with us his upbringing, how wrestling made him a great football player, the reality of being a five star recruit in high school, and the promise he made his grandfather to join the Fighting Irish.

Rocco Spindler is a true man's man and is honoring the legacy of his family each and every day at Notre Dame – there’s so much to draw from the lessons in toughness, grit, and compassion that he has learned along the way, so sit back and enjoy!

0:00 - Intro

2:36 - Early Life and Family Impact on Athletics

4:57 - Dad’s Impact on His Football Life and The Value of Wrestling

8:50 - Impact of Sisters Athletic Gifts

11:59 - High School Football Memories and Influences

16:30 - Reality of Being a 5 Star Recruit in High School

20:34 - Process of Choosing Notre Dame

25:12 - Rocco’s Grandfather’s Influence

31:30 - Day One at Notre Dame

37:33 - What’s Coach Freeman Like?

39:04 - Overcoming Obstacles and Injuries

47:44 - What Does the Future Hold?

49:12 - Advice for Student Athletes

51:12 - What’s Something People Don’t Know About Rocco Spindler?