Last Friday November 13th, the great Paul Hornung passed away at the age of 84. Born December 23, 1935, he lettered in his four years in High School in football, basketball and baseball. Here are some facts about Paul you may not have known:
- He was recruited by Bear Bryant at Kentucky but chose to attend Notre Dame
- Played back up Fullback in 1954
- Halfback and Safety in 1955
- 1956 he led his team in offensive passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff and punt returns. Despite ND being 2-8, Paul won the Heisman Trophy that season. The only player to win the Heisman with a losing record
- Played basketball his Sophomore year at ND
- In 1957 at the College All Star game in Chicago, on his team were Jim Brown, John Brodie, Jon Arnett, Len Dawson, Tommy McDonald. Curly Lambeau and Otto Graham as coaches
- Paul also beat Abe Woodson in a 100 yard race (he won by five yards)
- Paul Hornung has a college football award named after him
Below is the press release of Paul Hornung’s funeral service November 20th at 9:30 AM EST.
Funeral Service
The funeral mass for college and pro football legend Paul Vernon Hornung will be streamed live from St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Nov. 20 starting at 9:30 a.m. The general public and media can access the live stream at https://stlb.org. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be limited in-person to immediate family and close friends.
A member of the college and pro football halls-of-fame, Hornung passed away in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 13 at age 84 after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Hornung rose from humble beginnings in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood, where he was a three-sport star at Flaget High School, a now-defunct, all-boys Catholic school in the city’s West End. He went on to win the 1956 Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at Notre Dame then was an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s who could run, pass, block and kick. Legendary Green Bay Packer Football Coach Vince Lombardi once called Hornung, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.” Nicknamed “The Golden Boy” due to his blond hair and handsome features, Hornung is the namesake of the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sister Visitor Center via Catholic Charities of Louisville, 2911 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Ky., 40208; or the Norton Sports Health Athletics and Learning Complex via the Louisville Urban League, 1535 West Broadway, Louisville, Ky., 40203.