Notre Dame football has lost one of its own recently. Bob Belden won a national championship with Notre Dame in 1966. He passed away on May 5th in Canton, Ohio.

He primarily played as a backup quarterback throughout his career, but did contribute as a passer and runner. Belden played behind legendary Fighting Irish quarterback Joe Theismann for much of his time at Notre Dame.

The Dallas Cowboys took notice of his talents and picked him in the  1969 NFL Draft, with their 308th pick.

From then on, he spent two seasons with the Cowboys. Dallas finished with an 11-2-1 record in 1969 and went 10-4 in 1970. They advanced to the Super Bowl but lost to the Colts. After his retirement, Belden worked at 3M and on the Chicago Board Options Exchange trading options as a market maker.

This was followed by his involvement in his family business. He worked with his family at The Belden Brick Company before retiring as Chairman Emeritus in 2025.

Bob Belden's Early Life

Robert Belden was born on June 20, 1947, in Canton, Ohio. His parents are the late Richard Belden, Sr., and Patricia (Freeman) Belden. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, where he played quarterback.

He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame in 1969. His education didn't stop there, as he completed his MBA from the University of Michigan.

After joining his family, he worked there alongside his father and cousins. Eventually, two of his children, Bob and Julia, also joined in.

Belden also shared a passion for golf and was enthusiastic about handball. He could be seen accompanying his son in baseball tournaments as well.

One of his most notable achievements remains his 1966 title under coach Ara Parseghian. The Notre Dame team finished 9-0-1 and captured the national title.

Belden was also a man of faith and was a member of the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. His dedication to his home state of Canton showed in his dedication. He served as a member of various boards and supported organizations that he believed could profit from his presence.

A Memorial Mass was held on May 21 at 10 A.M. in St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Belden is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathleen (Keniray) Belden, and their children.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote