Paul Hornung

Jim Brown and Paul Hornung at the
Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Few players in college and professional football history have matched “The Golden Boy” Paul Hornung’s combination of on-field success and off-field notoriety.

Born in Louisville, Hornung was a standout multi-sport athlete at Flaget High School, earning varsity letters all four years in football, basketball, and baseball. He was heavily recruited by Paul “Bear” Bryant, head coach at the University of Kentucky, but ultimately chose to attend the University of Notre Dame.

In an era when college freshmen were ineligible for varsity sports, Paul Hornung made his debut for Notre Dame in 1954 as a sophomore backup fullback. His college career truly took off during his junior season, when he showcased his versatility by alternating between quarterback, halfback, and fullback, while also handling placekicking duties. That year, he finished fifth in the nation in total offense with 1,215 yards and six touchdowns and placed fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. During his first two seasons with the Irish, Notre Dame compiled an impressive 17–3 record.

Hornung’s senior year at Notre Dame didn’t go as planned for the team, as the Irish struggled to a 2–8 record. Despite the disappointing season, Hornung delivered an exceptional individual performance. He ranked second in the nation in total offense and kickoff returns, 15th in passing, and 16th in scoring. He was named an All-American for the second straight year and won the Heisman Trophy—becoming the only player ever to receive the honor while playing for a team with a losing record.

Hornung was selected first overall in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he became a key figure in the team’s dominance under legendary coach Vince Lombardi. He helped lead the Packers to four NFL championships (1957, 1961, 1962, and 1965) and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1961. Hornung led the NFL in scoring for three consecutive seasons (1959–1961).

During his nine season NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, Hornung was a prolific and versatile offensive weapon. Including playoff games, he rushed for 4,034 yards, caught passes for 1,591 yards, scored 65 touchdowns, and added 71 field goals and 195 extra points, totaling 798 career points.

Off the field, Paul Hornung was known for his charisma, charm, and larger-than-life personality. In 1961, while serving in the U.S. Army, he famously received weekend passes to continue playing for the Packers. A familiar face in early 1960s advertising, he appeared in Marlboro cigarette ads. He became the focus of a notable tax case involving a 1962 Corvette he received for being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Renowned for his lavish lifestyle, Hornung’s career hit a major obstacle in 1963 when NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended him for a year for betting on games and associating with “undesirable people.”. He returned to the Packers the following season and remained an important contributor to the team’s continued success.

After his playing days were over, Hornung found new success in the broadcasting booth, as a television and radio color analyst for almost two decades,

Paul Hornung was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He remains one 14 players in history to win the Heisman Trophy, be selected as the first overall NFL draft pick, and be inducted into both major football Halls of Fame.

Paul Hornung passed away at age 84 on November 13, 2020 in his beloved hometown of Louisville.

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