Vince Lombardi was hard on everyone. But he loved Paul Hornung.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Spend enough time listening to the old Green Bay Packers from the 1960s and they will share that if Lombardi had a favorite, it was his halfback from Notre Dame. Lombardi called Hornung "the best all-around back ever to play football.”” data-reactid=”17″>Spend enough time listening to the old Green Bay Packers from the 1960s and they will share that if Lombardi had a favorite, it was his halfback from Notre Dame. Lombardi called Hornung “the best all-around back ever to play football.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Hornung died at age 84 after a battle with dementia. The Louisville Sports Commission announced Hornung’s death.” data-reactid=”18″>Hornung died at age 84 after a battle with dementia. The Louisville Sports Commission announced Hornung’s death.
<figcaption class="C($c-fuji-grey-h) Fz(13px) Py(5px) Lh(1.5)" title="Green Bay Packers halfback Paul Hornung (5) plunged over the line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in 1960. (AP Photo)” data-reactid=”26″>
Green Bay Packers halfback Paul Hornung (5) plunged over the line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in 1960. (AP Photo)
Hornung accomplished just about everything one could hope for in a football career, including a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He famously had a good time off the field too.
Paul Hornung won a Heisman at Notre Dame
Hornung rose to fame at Notre Dame. He finished fifth in the 1955 Heisman Trophy voting and won it in 1956, though it was controversial. Hornung was a triple-threat quarterback but even in that era his numbers (three touchdowns, 13 interceptions) didn’t look like a Heisman winner. The Irish were 2-8, and Hornung is still the only Heisman winner from a losing team. Many felt Jim Brown of Syracuse, who actually finished fifth, was the best player in the country that year.
Hornung was the first pick of the 1957 draft, by the Packers. Hornung’s career started to take off in 1959, when Lombardi arrived. He made his first Pro Bowl. Hornung would be a first-team All-Pro in 1960 and 1961 as the Packers’ dynasty started. He and Jim Taylor were a fantastic backfield in Lombardi’s offense.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Hornung was one of the biggest stars on the Packers’ championship teams of 1961, 1962 and 1965, before the Super Bowl era began. When the Packers won Super Bowl I at the end of the 1966 season, Hornung didn’t play. He was in uniform but out with a pinched nerve in his neck. The New Orleans Saints took Hornung in the 1967 expansion draft but his neck wouldn’t allow him to play.” data-reactid=”36″>Hornung was one of the biggest stars on the Packers’ championship teams of 1961, 1962 and 1965, before the Super Bowl era began. When the Packers won Super Bowl I at the end of the 1966 season, Hornung didn’t play. He was in uniform but out with a pinched nerve in his neck. The New Orleans Saints took Hornung in the 1967 expansion draft but his neck wouldn’t allow him to play.
Hornung retired, having never played with another NFL team other than the Packers.
Hornung was a huge star
Hornung was one of the league’s stars as the NFL started to explode in popularity. He was also in the middle of a large controversy.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alex Karras were suspended for the 1963 season for betting on games. Lombardi accepted him back after his suspension was lifted.” data-reactid=”40″>Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alex Karras were suspended for the 1963 season for betting on games. Lombardi accepted him back after his suspension was lifted.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Hornung’s partying ways were legend in Green Bay through the 1960s. His charisma is part of what made him a star, even if he wasn’t the Packers’ best player all those years.” data-reactid=”41″>Hornung’s partying ways were legend in Green Bay through the 1960s. His charisma is part of what made him a star, even if he wasn’t the Packers’ best player all those years.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="He was a great player in his prime though. He was NFL MVP in 1961. He led the NFL in scoring three straight years, with a record 176 points in 1960 as he also handled kicking for Green Bay. Lombardi always leaned on him inside the 20-yard line and he usually delivered. Hornung scored 19 points in the Packers’ 1961 NFL championship game win over the New York Giants.” data-reactid=”42″>He was a great player in his prime though. He was NFL MVP in 1961. He led the NFL in scoring three straight years, with a record 176 points in 1960 as he also handled kicking for Green Bay. Lombardi always leaned on him inside the 20-yard line and he usually delivered. Hornung scored 19 points in the Packers’ 1961 NFL championship game win over the New York Giants.
Several players from the 1960s Packers have died in 2020. Willie Davis, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley and Hornung — all Hall of Famers — all died this year.
The Lombardi Packers were arguably the most famous team in NFL history. And it’s possible nobody on that team was more famous than Hornung, the “Golden Boy.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More from Yahoo Sports:” data-reactid=”46″>More from Yahoo Sports:
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
