BY LOU SOMOGYI
Editor's note: On Feb. 13, Notre Dame's
1953 Heisman Trophy winner John
Lattner died from lung cancer complica-
tions. Beyond his legendary Notre Dame
football career, Lattner was renowned as a
gregarious yet extremely humble individ-
ual who regaled audiences with his stories.
For decades, he lent his Heisman for
charity events at no charge, and at the
Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Parade he
often carried the banner of Saint Patrick
while donning a kilt and green stockings.
He served as vice president of sales at
PAL Graphics Inc., in Broadview, Ill., and
is survived by his wife of 58 years, Peggy,
eight children and 25 grandchildren, sev-
eral of whom have played or play college
football.
D
uring his years at Notre Dame
from 1950-54, multi-purpose
player extraordinaire John
Lattner was enrolled in the Air
Force ROTC.
Early in his freshman year in 1950,
though, Lattner was informed by head
coach Frank Leahy that he should be
in another branch of the military.
"Ah, Johnny Lattner, you should
An Irish
Immortal
Late Heisman Trophy winner
John Lattner lived a Hall-of-Fame life
Lattner was a two-time consensus All-American
and the 1953 Heisman Trophy winner.
PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS
