The Notre Dame football family lost a legend today. Johnny Lattner, winner of the 1953 Heisman Trophy, passed away at the age of 83 after battling lung cancer.
In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy in 1953, becoming Notre Dame’s fourth in program history, Lattner also received the Maxwell award in both the 1952 and 1953 seasons. He was also named a consensus All-American in 1952 and 1953. The Chicago native played halfback for the Fighting Irish under Frank Leahy from 1950 through 1953. The “bread and butter ball carrier” went on to be a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but a knee injury suffered during a two-year stint in the United States Air Force cut his pro career short. Lattner went on to dabble in some coaching at the high school level as well as at the University of Denver. He remained the head coach at Denver until the school shut down the football program in 1961.
Lattner was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of 1953 Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Lattner. Our prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/YZr4ZpxsDV
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) February 13, 2016
Very sad to hear about passing of former Heisman winner and #NDFB legend, Johnny Lattner. He was 83. RIP. #WeAreND pic.twitter.com/rICFNT8QFS
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFBhistory) February 13, 2016