In over 30 years of covering Notre Dame football I've never received the feedback as I did when I wrote about Dyan Orr. She was the little girl who idolized the Irish and specifically, Brady Quinn. I wish I didn't have to use the past tense in reference to Dyan, but she died Wednesday at the age of 11.

We all know that children die every day in the world and we hope and pray that grace and courage flows through them and their families. There has been support and prayers from every corner of the Notre Dame family to Dyan's family in Portage, Wisc.

Dyan and her family knew her condition, a rare lymphatic disorder, was terminal. Much of the recent months for the Orr family have centered on providing comfort to their little girl. Dyan slowly and progressively faded and died Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. She knew that she would join the angels one day so her temporal remains meant very little to her. Dyan wanted doctors to continue research on what may caused her disease by donating her body to medical science.

I'm sure Dyan had a favorite stuffed toy or blanket. She had pictures drawn for her by her schoolmates. Dyan drew pictures of what she thought awaited her in heaven. Her drawings were bright and happy. But her most prized possessions came from two members of her favorite team. Dyan was a diehard Irish football fan and her world revolved around Brady Quinn. She didn't care if his hair was too long on draft day or that he may have chomped his gum or that he wasn't in the upper echelon of the draft or that he never won a bowl game. Dyan understood heroes and she could not have made a better choice.

After one afternoon practice with the Browns, Quinn signed pictures and autographed jerseys for Dyan. He called her on the phone to try and buoy her spirits. She had a connection with Brady. She likely staved off her inevitable fate by hoping she might get the chance to see Brady play in the NFL. Her dad said that when she talked with Brady, it was the highlight of her life. As her days drew to a close, she and her family happened to be walking past the gift shop in the hospital. She saw a familiar face gazing at her from the cover of a magazine. Do 13-year old girls usually buy Men's Health? When Brady Quinn is on the cover, there is a guarantee of one sale to a little girl in Wisconsin. It was one more moment with her idol.

Charlie Weis took time to call Dyan and her family too. At that time, the ravages of the disease had become very severe but Dyan rallied to listen to what the coach of her Irish said to her. Dyan's mother said that her daughter wanted to make sure that Weis knew Dyan was thinking and praying every day for Hannah Weis. Dyan's family said that their little girl felt a kinship with Hannah. And you thought think Ruben Mendoza can build strength.

Dyan's pain is gone and she is in a better place. I truly feel pain for father Mike Orr and his family as they say goodbye. Yet, I also feel a great sense of community and pride. Those of you who have taken the time to send out a prayer, or say a rosary or light a candle can expect the same in time of your personal crisis, whatever it may be. I'm also proud to say I know two very high-profile men who took the time to do what they could to help.

It may be a tough fall for Charlie and Brady. Who knows? Still I have to think that right now, there are two Notre Dame men who have a perfect record when it comes to the game of life.