September 24, 2002

Leon Joseph Hart

September 24, 2002
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Player (1950-1957)
3x NFL Champion
College Football
Heisman Trophy winner
2x All American
3x National Champion
Maxwell Award winner
A.P. Athlete of the Year
College Football Hall of Fame

Leon Joseph Hart

Detroit Lions Player (1950 – 1957)

Leon Hart was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and excelled in football, baseball, and basketball at Turtle Creek High School. He went on to play football at the University of Notre Dame where he was named a first-team All American three consecutive seasons, helping Notre Dame win three National Championships compiling an overall record of 36 – 0 – 2. After his senior season, Hart won the Heisman Trophy, one of only two linemen to be so honored, as well as the Maxwell Award and was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award. He was the first overall pick in the 1950 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and spent eight seasons with the Lions helping them win three NFL championships. Leon Hart was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He passed away on September 24, 2002 at 73 years of age.