DNA Proves Ellen Easton Not Related to George Gipp

George Gipp, the Notre Dame football legend who died in 1920, was exhumed on October 4, 2007 to determine whether he was the grandfather of Ellen Easton.

The results, revealed on November 8, 2007, proved that Gipp was not related to Ellen.

A larger controversy has ensued, that is, the residents of his hometown of Laurium, Michigan are “outraged by what they are calling the desecration of his gravesite — a scene that included recording of the action by ESPN cameras.”

For more information, see Larry Dorman, Anger Over Exhumation in Gipper’s Hometown, NY Times, Nov. 10, 2007.