Notre Dame's Fourth Heisman Trophy: Johnny Lattner (1953)
During his Irish career, Johnny Lattner (‘54) earned a reputation as a jack of all trades – running, catching and punting, while also returning punts and kickoffs and intercepting 13 passes as a defensive back. In the 1953 season, the Chicago native rushed for 651 yards and nine touchdowns, while also catching 14 passes for 204 yards. He returned eight kickoffs for 321 yards, including two for touchdowns, and finished the year with four interceptions. Despite not leading the team in any major offensive categories, Lattner earned the Heisman Trophy, beating out Minnesota’s Paul Giel in one of the closest ballots in history. In this ‘Strong and True’ moment, Notre Dame’s fourth Heisman Trophy winner talks about his memorable award-winning season. The accompanying photos are from the University of Notre Dame Archives.
1953 Heisman Trophy results
1. John Lattner, Notre Dame (1850)
2. Paul Giel, Minnesota (1794)
3. Paul Cameron, UCLA (444)
4. Bernie Faloney, Maryland (258)
5. Bob Garrett, Stanford (231)
6. Alan Ameche, Wisconsin (211)
7. J.C. Caroline, Illinois (193)
8. J.D. Roberts, Oklahoma (108)
9. Lamar McHan, Arkansas (78)
Irish right halfback Johnny Lattner appeared on the cover of Time on Nov. 9, 1953.
Lattner outruns a diving defender during Notre Dame’s game against USC in 1953. He scored four touchdowns against the Trojans.
The Chicago native was a consensus All-American as both a junior and senior on offense and defense.
Lattner runs against Pittsburgh at Notre Dame Stadium in 1953. The Irish won, 23-14.
Lattner in a posed action shot diving at Notre Dame Stadium.
Striking the pose.
Johnny Lattner runs against USC in 1952.
Lattner scored nine touchdowns in the 1953 season, and won the Heisman in one of the closest votes ever.
Three of Notre Dame’s first four Heisman Trophy winners – Johnny Lujack (1947), Leon Hart (1949) and Johnny Lattner (1953) at a Merrill Lynch presentation in 1993.
Lattner returned to campus as a guest speaker at the 2012 Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp. Here he poses with his Heisman Trophy in the lobby of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.
- 001First game in Notre Dame Football history
- 002Hesburgh: From Trains to Planes
- 003Notre Dame's First “Game of the Century,” 1935
- 004Pinkett Helps the Irish Shock #1 Pitt
- 005Notre Dame Victory March debut
- 006Irv Smith vs. Indiana (1991)
- 007Strong and True: Pat Terrell
- 008First game in series with Navy
- 009Holtz Relaxation Sessions
- 0101981 LSU/Faust Debut
- 011Strong and True: Ara Comes To Notre Dame
- 012Ray Zellars vs. Purdue (1994)
- 013“The Genuflect Play” (1971)
- 0141901 State Title
- 015Ara Takes The Team To Moreau Seminary, 1964
- 016Montana Leads The Irish Back (1977 vs. Purdue)
- 017The Intensity of Frank Leahy
- 018This Day in History: Reggie Ho's Heroics (1988 vs. Michigan)
- 019Lou Holtz Debut (1986 vs. Michigan)
- 020Notre Dame's Third Game of the Century (1966 vs. Michigan St.)
- 021Lambert Caps Comeback (2006 vs. MSU)
- 022Tim Brown Goes Back-to-Back (1987 vs. Michigan State)
- 023Dillingham to Battle (2002 vs. Michigan State)
- 024The Rocket Launches...Twice (1989 vs. Michigan)
- 025Brian Smith Seals It (2008 vs. Michigan)
- 026This Day in History: ND Turns on the Lights
- 027The Unconscious Touchdown (1992 vs. Michigan)
- 028This Day in History: Harry Oliver's Heroics
- 029This Day in History: Irish Hook the Horns
- 030Irish Top Wolverines Under The Lights (1990 vs. Michigan)
- 031Irish Upset National Champs (1998 vs. Michigan)
- 032125 Year Celebration Interactive Photo
- 033Rocky Bleier Returns From Vietnam
- 034This Day in History: The Era of Ara Begins
- 035Strong and True: Tom Thayer
- 036This Day In History: Rockne Takes The Reins
- 037Strong and True: Gerome Sapp
- 038Notre Dame Goes International: The Mirage Bowl
- 039Frank Leahy Joins The Navy
- 040The Build Up (1988 vs. Miami)
- 041The Locker Room Speech (1988 vs. Miami)
- 042The Blocked Punt (1988 vs. Miami)
- 043The Play (1988 vs. Miami)
- 044Irish Upset Hurricanes in Series Finale
- 045Strong and True: Steve Beuerlein
- 046The Block
- 047This Day in History: Game of the Decade
- 048Quinn to Samardzija
- 049College GameDay
- 050The Touchdown That Should Have Been
- 051Play Like a Champion Today
- 052This Day In History: Covington's Goal Line Stop (1995 vs. Army)
- 053Strong and True: Tim Brown
- 054Strong and True: Justin Tuck
- 055The House That Rockne Built (1930 vs. Navy)
- 056Tiger Bait? Not. (1984 vs. LSU)
- 057October 18, 1924: The Four Horsemen Arrive
- 058Strong and True: Marc Edwards
- 059Strong and True: Shawn Wooden
- 060Pass Right (2005 vs. Washington)
- 061Strong and True: Luther Bradley
- 062The Genius of Ara
- 063Staying on Top (1943 vs. Iowa Pre-Flight)
- 064Ending The Streak (1957 vs. Oklahoma)
- 065Small Screen Debut (1952 vs. Oklahoma)
- 066This Day In History: Most Points Ever (1905 vs. American Medical)
- 067Strong and True: Bob Crable
- 068This Day In History: Gipp's Best Game (1920 vs. Army)
- 069Jones Runs Past Panthers (2003 vs. Pittsburgh)
- 070This Day In History: The Forward Pass (1913 vs. Army)
- 071The Hiring of Lou Holtz
- 072Rockne Joins The Team
- 073Dave Casper: Hall of Famer
- 074Lou's Last Home Game
- 075Goal Line Stand (1998 vs. Boston College)
- 076This Day In History: Filming Rudy (1992 vs. Boston College)
- 077Strong and True: Jonas Gray
- 078This Day In History: Notre Dame's Second Game of the Century (1946 vs. Army)
- 079This Day In History: Win One For The Gipper
- 080The Shutout Season
- 081Strong and True: Autry Denson
- 082This Day In History: The Snow Bowl
- 083This Day In History: Irish Topple a Nemesis
- 084The Real Rudy Moment (1975 vs. Georgia Tech)
- 085Notre Dame Stadium Rededication
- 08651-0. (1966 vs. USC)
- 087Lou Holtz's USC Test
- 088A Battle of Unbeatens (1988 vs. USC)
- 089Respect: Lou's First Locker Room Speech
- 090The Green Jersey Game (1977 vs. USC)
- 091The Alma Mater Debut
- 092Trampling the Trojans (1995 vs. USC)
- 093This Day In History: Beuerlein's Second Chance (1986 vs. USC)
- 094Defeating The Defending Champs (1973 vs. USC)
- 095Theismann, As in Heisman
- 096Notre Dame's First Heisman Trophy Winner: Angelo Bertelli (1943)
- 097Notre Dame's Second Heisman Trophy: Johnny Lujack (1947)
- 098Notre Dame's Third Heisman Trophy: Leon Hart (1949)
- 099Notre Dame's Fourth Heisman Trophy: Johnny Lattner (1953)
- 100Notre Dame's Fifth Heisman Trophy: Paul Hornung (1956)
- 101Notre Dame's Sixth Heisman Trophy: John Huarte (1964)
- 102Notre Dame's Seventh Heisman Trophy: Tim Brown (1987)
- 103Notre Dame's First Win
- 104The First Bowl Trip: One For The Ages (The Journey)
- 105The First Bowl Trip: One For The Ages (The Game)
- 106The Japan Bowl
- 107The First Perfect Season
- 108This Day In History: Notre Dame All-Stars vs. New York Giants (Rockne's Final Game)
- 1091929 National Championship Season
- 110Beating the Buffaloes (1990 Orange Bowl)
- 111The Last Flight of Knute Rockne
- 112Rocket's Return That Wasn't (1991 Orange Bowl)
- 113Strong and True: Vagas Ferguson
- 114The Chicken Soup Game (1979 Cotton Bowl Classic)
- 115Thunder and Lightning (1993 Cotton Bowl Classic)
- 116Irish Outrun Aggies Again (1994 Cotton Bowl Classic)
- 117"We're #1" (1978 Cotton Bowl Classic)
- 1181930 National Championship Season
- 1191949 National Championship Season
- 120Notre Dame's Fourth Game of The Century (1993 vs. Florida State)
- 121Strong and True: Rocket Ismail
- 122The Cheerios Bowl (1992 Sugar Bowl)
- 123Ara's Final Game (1975 Orange Bowl)
- 124Irish Top The Tide (1973 Sugar Bowl)
- 125The 11th National Championship (1989 Fiesta Bowl)