John Lujack

Lujack was considered one of the greatest T-formation collegiate quarterbacks of all times. Filling in for Angelo Bertelli, who went into the Marines in 1943, he quarterbacked a 26-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Army Cadets. This star quarterback gained 2,080 yards for the Irish in three years and achieved a marvelous passing record of 144 completions out of 282 throws. His accurate arm accounted for many of Notre Dame's 24 victories while at the Golden Dome. In his three seasons at Notre Dame, 1943 and then after military service in 1946 and 1947, the Irish were National Champions. After graduation, Lujack went to the Chicago Bears and played for four years. He was named All-Pro on defense in 1948 and All-Pro on offense in 1950, and in 1949 he established a new NFL passing record of 468 yards and 6 touchdowns in one game against the Chicago Cardinals in a spectacular 52-21 victory. For two years ('52-'53) he served as Notre Dame backfield coach under Frank Leahy, coaching John Lattner, the '53 Heisman winner. He now lives in Bettendorf, Iowa and lends his name to a large car dealership in neighboring Davenport, Iowa. He is currently the oldest living Heisman Trophy winner. Lujack served as a color commentator on CBS NFL telecasts for a number of years in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and on ABC college football telecasts in the late 1960s. John was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1960.