1949 - 15th Award
Leon Hart
Notre Dame End

Leon Hart, the second lineman to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy was the co-captain of Notre Dame's 1949 National Championship team. Considered by some experts to be the greatest all-time All-American end, Hart played both offense and defense. Hart was a savage blocker and tackler, ran the end-around play and from fullback with devastating effect. Hart received every major football award in 1949 including Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. He was also voted on All-American teams for three of his four years, during which Notre Dame never lost a game. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a"Bonus Choice" of the Detroit Lions in 1950. In 1951, he was voted "All-Pro" on offense and defense. In Hart's eight seasons with Detroit they won four divisional titles and three world championships. He and his beloved late wife Lois are parents of five sons and one daughter. They have fourteen grandchildren. Leon passed away September 24, 2002.

Leon was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1973.

The Voting

Hart, considered a giant at the time at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, was the second and last lineman to win the Heisman as he won all five sections and captured the Heisman by a more than 700-point margin. Notre Dame's powerful team placed three players among the top eight finishers. Doak Walker, the 1948 winner, was hampered by injuries as a senior and was unable to duplicate his junior year heroics.

No. of registered electors: 908
Date of announcement: November 29, 1949
Date of dinner: December 7, 1949

The positions within each region: