FOOTBALL

Former Notre Dame Heisman winner Lujack airlifted to Mayo Clinic

BOB WIENEKE

South Bend Tribune

Notre Dame legend Johnny Lujack, who won the 1947 Heisman Trophy, was airlifted Monday to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for a neurological examination, according to the Quad-City Times.

Lujack, 89, is the oldest living Heisman winner. took over as ND's quarterback in 1943 and led the Irish to three national titles. In his first start, against Army, he threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and intercepted a pass in a 26-0 victory.

He then spent nearly three years in the Navy, but returned to Notre Dame to earn consensus All-America honors on 1946 and '47 Irish teams that did not lose a game. As a junior in 1946 he finished third in the Heisman voting.

Lujack played four years with the Chicago Bears and led the team in scoring each year. Lujack returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach for two seasons, then ran an automobile dealership in Davenport, Iowa until 1988.

Pete Pohlmann, former owner of Lujack's Northpark Auto Plaza in Davenport, told the Times that Lujack has been struggling with ambulatory issues over the past couple of weeks.

UPDATE: Lujack doing well after surgery.

Former Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack, who won the 1947 Heisman Trophy, was airlifted on Monday to the Mayo Clinic for a neurological exam, according to the Quad-City Times (Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame).