Johnny Lujack, the Notre Dame quarterback who gained three nationwide titles with the Preventing Irish within the Nineteen Forties, died Tuesday at 98.
His granddaughter mentioned Lujack entered hospice care not too long ago, ESPN reported.
Lujack led Notre Dame to the championship as a sophomore in 1943, stepping in for Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli when Bertelli left the workforce for lively responsibility within the Marine Corps for World Conflict II following a 6-0 begin.
Lujack himself served in america Navy for 2 years.
He returned to guide the workforce to the 1946 and 1947 titles, being named a unanimous All-American each years and profitable the Heisman within the latter.
Lujack was the oldest residing Heisman Trophy winner on the time of his dying.
Lujack’s most well-known play could have been a sort out within the “Sport of the Century,” the 1946 matchup of No. 2 Notre Dame towards No. 1 Military at Yankee Stadium.
The sport led to a scoreless tie, due to Lujack’s touchdown-saving sort out of Military Heisman-winner Doc Blanchard.
Lujack compiled a 21-1-1 file as Notre Dame’s quarterback.
He additionally performed baseball, basketball and ran observe whereas he attended the South Bend, Indiana faculty.
He performed with the Chicago Bears from 1948-51, the place he lead the NFL in passing yards (2,658) and touchdowns (23) in 1949.
In 1950, he led the league in dashing touchdowns (11).
Lujack was named to the Professional Bowl in 1950 and 1951, his remaining season, as he retired at 26 years previous.
“Every part for me at Notre Dame was happenstance,” Lujack instructed UND.com in 1999. “If I performed 5 years later, possibly individuals wouldn’t have even seen that I used to be round. So I really feel so lucky concerning the timing and all the things that got here my means.”
He additionally returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach to Frank Leahy within the early Nineteen Fifties.
“Taking part in underneath Frank Leahy taught you so many necessary issues: sacrifice, dedication, perspective, preparation, workforce idea,” Lujack mentioned in 1999.
Lujack could be inducted into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1960.
He’s survived by a daughter and son, 5 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
His daughter Carol died in 2002 and his spouse Patricia died in 2022.
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