Johnny “Mr. All-Purpose” Lattner: The Heisman Ironman

October 24, 1932 – Chicago, Illinois  – Notre Dame’s famed halfback, Johnny Lattner, was born. Johnny Lattner was a two-time unanimous All-American, a two-time Maxwell Award winner, and the 1953 Heisman Trophy recipient who played virtually every down for Notre Dame and set a school record for all-purpose yards that stood for over two decades.

Per the footballfoundation.org bio, as a sophomore halfback, Lattner led the team in minutes played. In 1953, Lattner carried the ball 24 times for a 4.1 rushing average, caught 2 passes for 42 yards, and intercepted a pass in a 28-21 victory against Oklahoma. He also punted nine times that afternoon, compiling a 38-yard average. He saved the Irish from defeat against Iowa in 1951.

It was fourth-and-ten on Notre Dame’s 22-yard line with the Irish down 20-13, but instead of punting, Lattner threw his first college pass, a 23-yard completion for an Irish first down. Then, with 45 ticks of the clock remaining, Lattner ran 55 yards to the goal line, scoring the touchdown that helped Notre Dame to a 20-20 tie.

Lattner won the Maxwell Award &  Heisman Trophy in 1953 and was a two-time All-America selection. Selectors voted Johnny Lattner into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Accolades and Accomplishments

College Career (Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 1951–1953):

• 1953 Heisman Trophy Winner (Notre Dame’s fourth).
• 2× Maxwell Award Winner (1952, 1953) – College Football Player of the Year.
• 2× Unanimous All-American (1952, 1953).
• Consensus All-American (1953).
• Appeared on the cover of Time Magazine (November 9, 1953).
• Set a Notre Dame career record for all-purpose yards (3,095 total yards – rushing, receiving, and runbacks), a record that stood until 1979.
• Totaled 13 career interceptions as a defensive back.
• College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1979).

Professional Career (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1954):

• 1954 NFL Draft: 1st Round, 7th overall pick (Pittsburgh Steelers).
• NFL Pro Bowl selection (1954) as a kick and punt returner.
• Totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards in his single season.
• Note: His professional career was limited to one season after he suffered a severe knee injury while serving in the U.S. Air Force.