If Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o receives the 2012 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, he will have won it 65 years after the oldest living winner of the stiff-armed statue was so honored. And like Te’o, QB Johnny Lujack was a beloved member of the Irish.
Even after losing his 1944 and 1945 seasons to World War II, Lujack led Notre Dame to the 1946 and 1947 national titles while earning All-America honors in both of those seasons. In addition to winning the 1947 Heisman Trophy, Lujack was also voted the Associated Press Man of the Year.
Lujack spent a brief, four-year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, with whom he set since-broken league records for passing yards in a game (468) and rushing TDs by a QB in a season (11). After retiring as a player, Lujack was an assistant coach at his alma mater (1952–1953) and an NFL color commentator for CBS (1956–1961).
His primary occupation, however, was working at Lujack Schierbrock Chevrolet Company, a car dealership in Bettenforf, IA, that he co-operated with his father-in-law. Lujack spent 34 years at the dealership (1954–1988) before retiring to both Davenport, IA, and Indian Wells, CA, with his wife, Pat.
Lujack turns 88 on January 4th. Johnny Lujack profile
