At Republican Pro-Life Lunch, Lou Holtz Attacks Chicago Gang Violence

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, speaking at a pro-life luncheon Tuesday as part of the Republican National Convention, said he has traveled to war zones without fear.

However, landing in Chicago? That, to Holtz, is scary -- and, to some in his audience, funny.

The crack about the city's well-documented gang violence epidemic drew laughter from the crowd at the RNC for Life Eagle Forum, according to reporter Libby Nelson.

Holtz was the featured speaker at the event.

At Notre Dame, Holtz recruited several players from Chicago, including Chris Zorich, who grew up poor on the city's South Side and attended Chicago Vocational High School.

Zorich went on to become an All-American for Holtz, playing on the Fighting Irish's national championship team in 1988. He played several season in the NFL for the Chicago Bears.

Shortly after Holtz's remarks, a six-year-old girl was shot while sitting on her porch on the South Side.