By Darin 
November 2, 1928 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Marked the birth of Leon Hart, who later played end for the University of Notre Dame. While Hart was a member of the Irish squad, the team went an astounding 36-0-2 and won three national Championships from 1946 to 1949, according to the NFF’s website, Leon Hart may be best remembered in college for his heroics in 1948 against USC. Hart took a 25-yard pass from Frank Tripucka and escaped eight would-be Southern Cal tacklers on his way to a score that helped the Irish stay unbeaten in 22 straight games as they tied the Trojans at 14 points apiece.
As a member of the Fighting Irish football program, Hart won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award in 1949 for his outstanding play and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973. Leon, after school, played in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1950s with the Detroit Lions, where he was the franchise’s number one pick in the 1950 NFL Draft.
Football Accolades and Accomplishments
- Notre Dame Record: Member of the Fighting Irish teams that went 36-0-2 and won three National Championships (1946-1949).
- 1949 Heisman Trophy Winner: Won the coveted Heisman Trophy, becoming the last lineman/end to win the award.
- 1949 Maxwell Award Winner: Also claimed the Maxwell Award for the outstanding player in college football.
- Iconic Play: Known for his 1948 heroics against USC, where he turned a 25-yard reception into a touchdown after escaping eight would-be tacklers.
- NFL Draft: Selected as the number one overall pick in the 1950 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
- Professional Career: Played eight seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions.
- Hall of Fame: Leon Hart was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.