Notre Dame's Louis Nix III Dresses Up As Santa Claus

With Notre Dame's long layoff before the BCS title game, the team has a lot of time on their hands. So the Irish's enormous defensive tackle Louis Nix III decided to become Santa Claus, but this little Irish fan, 1-year-old Gabreal Rico, clearly doesn't think the beard is legit.

According to theSouth Bend Tribune, Nix dressed as Ol' Saint Nick not because the layoff gave him enough time for a second job as a mall Santa, but as part of an on-campus fundraiser at Notre Dame. Proceeds from the "Silent Night Auction" went to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Even if little Gabreal doesn't think Nix is Santa, he should be glad that he's on Nix's lap and not the other way around. This is what happens when the 6-foot-3 340-pound lineman is in your lap.

Photos South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER (Santa Nix); Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images (in-game photo)