It’s only in regards to football team and their never give up attitudeAW look, you got a thanks from a racist! lol
I never got "fighting Irish" when the univ. is obviously a French name.
The most generally accepted explanation is that the press coined the nickname as a characterization of Notre Dame athletic teams, their never-say-die fighting spirit and the Irish qualities of grit, determination and tenacity. ... “The term 'Fighting Irish' has been applied to Notre Dame teams for years.
The Fighting Irish – Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website