Notre Dame soccer legend, Heisman winner, Johnny Lujack lifeless at 98
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Johnny Lujack, the Notre Dame quarterback who gained three nationwide titles with the Preventing Irish within the Forties, died Tuesday at 98.
His granddaughter stated 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 crew for energetic responsibility within the Marine Corps for World Conflict II following a 6-0 begin.
Lujack himself served in the US Navy for 2 years.
He returned to steer the crew to the 1946 and 1947 titles, being named a unanimous All-American each years and successful the Heisman within the latter.
Lujack was the oldest residing Heisman Trophy winner on the time of his loss of life.
Lujack’s most well-known play might have been a sort out within the “Recreation of the Century,” the 1946 matchup of No. 2 Notre Dame in opposition to 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 ultimate season, as he retired at 26 years previous.
“All the pieces for me at Notre Dame was happenstance,” Lujack told UND.com in 1999. “If I performed 5 years later, perhaps folks wouldn’t have even observed that I used to be round. So I really feel so lucky concerning the timing and the whole lot that got here my manner.”
He additionally returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach to Frank Leahy within the early Nineteen Fifties.
“Taking part in beneath Frank Leahy taught you so many essential issues: sacrifice, dedication, angle, preparation, crew idea,” Lujack stated 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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