For example, let's say Notre Dame's president at the time was having an informal conversation with NC State's president at the time. Notre Dame could have thought it was conveying that football would always remain Independent. However, the word choice Notre Dame used in that conversation, it doesn't matter whether it was intentional or unintentional, could have conveyed the possibility that the door was opened just a crack for Notre Dame to change its mind at some point in the future because circumstances may have changed. At least that is how NC State interpreted things from that conversation. The 2020 season kind of proves my point that Notre Dame's position isn't set in stone even though Notre Dame thinks it is conveying that message.