During the Civil War, you often literally had brother vs. brother. According to the Alabama Crimson Tide fight song they are “Dixie’s football pride.” And Indiana (despite the fact that it often votes with the old Confederacy these days in elections) was a Union state. So this Notre Dame vs. Alabama national title game matchup does have a bit of a Civil War feel to it.
Here are two brothers who fit the mold: Thomas Rayam Bama 90′ and I-Hardy Rayam Notre Dame 80′ are the only brother combination that played for both Notre Dame and Alabama. Ironically, some local people don’t understand why some national news source have not given this article some attention. Hardy Rayam, graduated from Notre Dame 1980′ BBA and was on Notre Dame’s 1977 Football National Championship Team. Hardy Rayam is also a Two Times Liver Transplant Survivor, since 1997 (PSC-Walter Payton).
Hardy is a retired Engineering Administrator for Lockheed-Martin. Hardy is married to Cheryl Rayam for thirty-one years and they have two children, Courtney and Calan. Hardy has had two daughters who graduated from Notre Dame, Courtney-ND 2007’and Helena-ND 2003’. And the third daughter-Calan will attend Notre Dame for Graduate School. Hardy and his family reside in Orlando, Florida.
Hardy’s youngest brother – Thomas Rayam Alabama 90’ was a three year starter, and drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1990. Then he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Thomas was responsible for a field goal block punt against Penn State in 1989, that preserved Bama’s undefeated season. Rayam is a Pharmaceutical Representative, Married to Elaine 17 years, and they have three children-Thomas Jr.(T.J.),Madison and Jalen. And Thomas has another son Brandon. Thomas and his family resides in Alabaster (Birmingham) Alabama. Thomas’s son T.J. Rayam (9th grade 6’3 250) is a Defensive Lineman-Starter for Thompson High School in Alabaster Alabama. T.J. is the Wrestling Champion for the State of Alabama’s in his class/division and he is also listed as the number two wrestler in the Nation.
Hardy Rayam and Thomas Rayam oldest brother-Curtis Rayam Junior is a World Renown Opera Star. Curtis has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera on several occasions. Curtis Jr. is presently a Professor of Music and the Interim Choir Director at Bethune Cookman University-Daytona Beach Florida AND the Adjunct Professor of Music, Rollins College,Orlando Florida. Curtis Jr. is a graduate of the University of Miami, Coral Gables Florida and studied Opera at the Juliet School of Music in New York
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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