Tag: Johnny Lattner

See: The second player with two Heisman’s for Notre Dame

Strike the pose

You might have been lead to believe that Ohio State running back Archie Griffin was the only person to have two Heisman Trophies, but that isn’t quite correct. Notre Dame halfback Johnny Lattner was one of the best players of his time. He played for the Irish from 1950 to 1953, winning the Maxwell Award twice (only Florida’s Tim Tebow accomplished that feat also) and the Heisman in 1953.

A native to Chicago (Fenwick Academy), after his short NFL career which was cut short due to his enrollment into the Air Force and hurting his knee, Lattner tried coaching for a few years before opening up his own restaurant in Chicago. The Heisman would stay in his steakhouse aptly named Johnny Lattner’s Steak House but a fire 1968 destroyed the trophy.

Lattner petitioned the committee for another trophy and ultimately they gave his a second, something that they don’t normally do. I happened to be at the Fenwick and St. Ignatius high school football game this past Friday night and got up close and personal with Lattner’s second Heisman Trophy.

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Notre Dame QB Book is named to Maxwell Award Watch List

Another preseason honor for Ian Book, quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame’s senior quarterback Ian Book was honored last week by being included by the Davey O’Brien Award watch list and today he was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is annually given to the Collegiate Player of the Year, as last year Joe Burrow of LSU won the award. Burrow led the Tiger to a College Football Playoff title and was the first selection in the NFL Draft.

The Irish historically have had success winning the award, as six players have won the award a total of seven times. Halfback Johnny Lattner won the award in back-to-back seasons in 1952 and 1953 (also won the Heisman), making him one of the most decorated Irish football players ever. In more recent times linebacker Manti Te’o won the Maxwell Award in 2012 while the last Irish quarterback to win was Brady Quinn in 2006.

Book will look to build on a very impressive career, as he has led the Irish to back-to-back 11-plus win seasons, and a berth in the College Football Playoff. There will be many eyes on the Notre Dame quarterback this season, and if Book can build upon the success he’s had over the last two years, he could very well bring back the Maxwell Trophy to South Bend.