Former Bears great passes away
Johnny Lujack, a legendary figure in the annals of Chicago Bears history, has passed away at 98. Known for his stellar career as a quarterback, Lujack passed on Tuesday in Florida after a brief illness.
A Notre Dame product and the Heisman Trophy winner, Lujack was scooped up by the Bears as the fourth overall pick in the 1946 NFL Draft. He etched his name in Bears lore during his four-season stint with the team from 1948 to 1951, racking up an impressive 6,295 yards and 41 touchdowns over 45 games, with 32 as a starter.
But Lujack's prowess wasn't limited to throwing touchdowns. The versatile player also turned heads with his defensive skills, securing 12 career interceptions. In his rookie year alone, he returned eight interceptions for 131 yards. Besides, he doubled up as the team's kicker, boasting an impressive record of 130 successful extra-point attempts out of 136.
The 1949 season saw Lujack dominate the NFL, leading all passing charts with 162 completions, 2,658 yards, and 23 TDs from 312 attempts. In the season's grand finale, he turned in a historic performance against the Chicago Cardinals, tossing for 468 yards and six touchdowns in a 52-21 victory. That record for the most yards by a Bears quarterback in a game still stands.
His exploits earned him Pro Bowl selections in 1950 and 1951, and the first-team All-Pro honor in 1950, a season when he chalked up 1,731 yards through the air, 397 yards on the ground, and topped the league with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Before his time with the Bears, Lujack had a decorated tenure with Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to national championships in 1943, 1946, and 1947. His collegiate career was interrupted by a two-year service in the Navy during World War II, but he returned to claim the Heisman Trophy in 1947. At the time of his passing, Lujack was the oldest living Heisman Trophy winner.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Lujack transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant coach under Frank Leahy at his alma mater, Notre Dame. Later, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, to embark on a long and successful career as an automobile dealership owner for over three decades.
