Life Lessons Learned from Johnny Lujack

“I loved it when you played both ways. If you made a mistake, you didn’t have to go to the sideline to face the coach.” – Johnny Lujack

Johnny Lujack was born in the small town of Connellsville, PA on January 4, 1925. Connellsville has never had more than 14,000 residents – reaching a peak of 13,804 in the 1920 census – and has been declining ever since, with just 7,031 people calling it home in 2020. However, proving that good things often come in small packages, the town boasts a former Major League baseball player, a former Indy 500 race car driver, and a former Olympic gold medal winner. Two former NFL players also hailed from Connellsville, the most famous of which was the aforementioned Johnny Lujack.

Lujack starred in football at Connellsville High School from 1939 to 1941, where he also won varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and track. As if that wasn’t enough, this overachiever was named valedictorian and was voted class president.

After graduating from CHS, Lujack was offered an appointment to West Point, but he chose to accept a football scholarship to Notre Dame instead. After two seasons in South Bend, Lujack joined the U.S. Navy and served as an ensign hunting German submarines in the English Channel. Upon his discharge, Lujack returned to Notre Dame for his junior and senior years, leading the Fighting Irish to two consecutive national titles (they also won the title in 1943, Lujack’s sophomore season).

In addition to becoming only the third Notre Dame student to letter in four different sports, Lujack won the Heisman Trophy in 1947 and was also named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year. He was also a unanimous All-American selection for the second straight season.

In 1948, Lujack signed a contract for $17,000 to play both offense and defense for the Chicago Bears. As a defensive back, Lujack had eight interceptions and as a kicker, he made 44 of 46 extra points. The following year, Lujack led the Bears to a 9-3 record, throwing for six TDs and accumulating 468 passing yards in the season finale. In 1950, playing ahead of future Hall of Famers Sid Luckman and George Blanda, he set a new NFL record for quarterbacks with 11 rushing touchdowns.

After four years with the Bears, Lujack returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach for two seasons before partnering with his father-in-law in the car dealership business. Lujack also did some college and pro football announcing in the 50s and 60s. When he died earlier this year at age 98, Lujack was the oldest surviving Heisman Trophy winner.

Why the long biography of Johnny Lujack? First, to remind each of us that – no matter how humble our beginnings may be – we can still accomplish great things. Second, to affirm that someday we will all have to “come out of the game” and stand before our Heavenly Coach, giving a full account of how we conducted ourselves on the field.

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President