Johnny Estes joins six football playing friends around a Christmas tree at his home to sing "Silent Night." Estes, former Iowa back, invited them to a party to celebrate the fact that he is walking again. Doctors said he would never walk after a playground accident. Left to right: Earl Riley, of St. Ambrose; Jerry Groom, Notre Dame captain-elect; Andy Buntz of Iowa; Estes, John Towner of Iowa; Paul DeVan of Iowa Teachers, and Nick Manoles of Drake; photo by The Des Moines Register and Tribune, Associated Press AP Wirephoto [2 versions of the same image; one has this caption], 1949/1224, GNDS 36/46, Box: GNDS 36, Folder: 46. Notre Dame Student Collection, NDS. University of Notre Dame Archives. https://archivesspace.library.nd.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/1837288 Accessed February 05, 2026.