July 25 (UPI) — Johnny Lujack, the iconic University of Notre Dame legend and recipient of the 1947 Heisman Trophy, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 98.
According to Lujack’s granddaughter, Amy Schiller, the football player had been in good health until a few weeks ago when he entered hospice care. He ultimately passed away in Naples, Fla., at a hospice facility, as confirmed by his grandson, Grant Pohmann, in an interview with The New York Times.
Johnny Lujack received a scholarship from Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy, allowing him to play for the team from 1942 to 1943. However, his football career was put on hold due to World War II, during which he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
After the war, Lujack returned to Notre Dame, where he achieved All-America honors in both 1946 and 1947, culminating in his victory of the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1947.
At the time of his passing, Lujack held the title of the oldest living Heisman Trophy recipient. Remarkably, he received this honor only 12 years after the trophy’s establishment. Among Notre Dame athletes, Lujack was the second to receive the trophy, following Angelo Bertelli.
In the 1946 NFL draft, Lujack was chosen as the fourth overall pick and subsequently joined the Chicago Bears in 1948. His career flourished, resulting in two Pro Bowl selections in 1950 and 1951.
In 1952, Lujack ended his playing career upon receiving an assistant coaching offer from Frank Leahy at Notre Dame. However, when Leahy retired and Terry Brennan assumed the role of head coach in 1954, Lujack made the decision to depart.
Later in life, Lujack ventured into the business world and opened a car dealership in Davenport, Iowa, alongside his father-in-law. He dedicated over four decades to the dealership and once admitted that his annual earnings from football never exceeded $20,000.
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett attended the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 10, 2019. The legendary singer, known for his illustrious 70-year career and 19 Grammy Awards, passed away at the age of 96 after battling Alzheimer’s disease on July 21. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
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