Notre Dame fans react to Irish QB's guilty plea

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees was supposed to have a court hearing Tuesday morning, but instead he went before a judge Monday afternoon and copped a plea deal.

Rees pleaded guilty to two counts, one for underage drinking and the second for resisting arrest. Rees will now be placed on 11 months probation, must finish 50 hours of community service and send apology letters to the South Bend police officers involved.

This news was late developing and many students had not heard yet, but the handful that had said they're glad Rees is taking responsibility for his actions.

"I heard he ran from the police that was a big no, no. So, he made a mistake doing that,“ said John Colaneri who was visiting the campus from New Jersey. 

Last season, sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees had to learn quickly to fill the shoes of a starting Irish QB and now he is getting a lesson off the field.

"I was surprised to hear about the resisting part. I don't think there is ever a need to do that," said student Andrew Norris. 

In May, Rees was at a house party near the Notre Dame campus when police showed up. Officers said Rees and a group of friends ran off, including teammate Carlo Calabrese. Then Rees assaulted officers as they tried to arrest him.

"He has to learn from the mistake that he made,” said Colaneri. “He has to realize that, yeah, he has to take responsibility and take whatever comes with it and hopefully learns for next time. That is the only way we learn”.

Colaneri said kids are bound to make mistakes, but athletes have to be more careful because they're held to a higher standard.

"I hope he can play on the team and stuff and that our backups are ready to go if not, but obviously I would like to see him out there on the field," said Norris.

Many are still wondering what punishment the university will dish out.

"They are the flagship Catholic university in the country and it’s a great university and they have to be extremely careful,” said Colaneri. “They have to make sure they go by the book and do what has to be done”.

ABC57 News did reach out to the university. No comment will be made either by Notre Dame or its football program in regards to Rees. 

Rees will be back in court August 20.