Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates with fans in the stands after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was trying to talk about a key play late in the 23-10 victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff when Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard politely interrupted.

Freeman was talking about the mass substitution pre-punt that led to Georgia jumping offside and giving the Irish a first down. He was talking about proper preparation and taking advantage of opportunities when Leonard interrupted to say that Freeman was being humble.

Leonard added that the play was Freeman’s and the Irish had originally planned on doing it differently until Freeman changed it up a day or two before the game. Freeman tried, sheepishly, to get Leonard to stop, but Leonard continued to say Freeman was being humble before saying, in Freeman’s sted, that it was a “great call, great execution.”

You can see the whole exchange here.

Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates the win against Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Press conference exchange between Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterback Riley Leonard shows the level of mutual respect