Former Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz' political impact

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Most people remember Lou Holtz as the fiery football coach who led Notre Dame to a National Championship or maybe as an outspoken analyst for ESPN college football coverage, but he was also very involved in presidential politics after leaving the sidelines.

During the heated 2016 presidential race, Coach Holtz posted a brief endorsement video on social media before the 2016 Indiana presidential primary.

Coach Holtz, always known for his folksy, down-home humor and humility, did the same thing on an even bigger stage in 2020, speaking via video at the Republican National Convention that summer.

Being a devout Catholic, his entire life, Holtz fully supported President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn Roe v Wade, and stirred controversy when he went after Trump's opponent, Joe Biden, a fellow Catholic, on the abortion issue.

Holtz later made an apology video where he said in part, "I looked back at what I said and y'know, I probably owe Joe Biden an apology because I can't really evaluate what's in his heart but I do know this, I don't criticize him, I've heard great things about him as a person, but I absolutely deplore the policy they have of 9th month abortions."

Holtz passed away Mar. 4 at 89 years old.