1947-13th Award
John Lujack
Notre Dame Back

Lujack was considered one of the greatest T-formation collegiate quarterbacks of all times. Filling in for Angelo Bertelli, who went into the Marines in 1943, he quarterbacked a 26-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Army Cadets. This star quarterback gained 2,080 yards for the Irish in three years and achieved a marvelous passing record of 144 completions out of 282 throws. His accurate arm accounted for many of Notre Dame's 24 victories while at the Golden Dome. In his three seasons at Notre Dame, 1943 and then after military service in 1946 and 1947, the Irish were National Champions. After graduation, Lujack went to the Chicago Bears and played for four years. He was named All-Pro on defense in 1948 and All-Pro on offense in 1950, and in 1949 he established a new NFL passing record of 468 yards and 6 touchdowns in one game against the Chicago Cardinals in a spectacular 52-21 victory. For two years ('52-'53) he served as Notre Dame backfield coach under Frank Leahy, coaching John Lattner, the '53 Heisman winner. Lujack resides in Davenport, Iowa in the summers and Indian Wells, California during the winters, where he spends his free time golfing.

John was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1960.

The Voting

Lujack, who lettered in four sports at Notre Dame (football, baseball, basketball and track), won in the East, South and Far West, with Walker winning in the Southwest and Chappuis in the Midwest. Swiacki earned national fame for his circus catch at Baker Field in New York when Columbia ended Army's long winning streak.

Number of registered electors: Unavailable
Date of announcement: December 1, 1947
Date of dinner: December 10, 1947

The positions within each region: