Even before he arrived in Green Bay , Wis. , Paul Hornung was known as “The Golden Boy,” having won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 for his prowess at the University of Notre Dame. Hornung was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 National Football League draft, coming off a senior season at Notre Dame that was so impressive the national media overlooked his college team’s 2-8 record and awarded him the Heisman. This was a significant accomplishment, having been the only time the Heisman has been won by a player on a losing team.

During his senior year, Hornung finished second nationally in total offense with 1,337 yards, second in kickoff returns, 15th in passing and 16th in scoring. He also led the team in rushing, passing, scoring, punting, field-goal kicking, kickoff return average and minutes played. 

And golden he was, too, for the Packers over his nine-year career, which spanned from 1957 to 1967.

Hornung was the Packers’ leading rusher his first two seasons in the league until Jim Taylor began compiling 1,000-yard campaigns in 1960. He went on to lead the Packers in winning three league championships, including the first Super Bowl in 1967.

Hornung was voted the NFL’s most valuable player in 1961; he was selected as an All-Pro four times and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. He was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1985 (QB) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 (halfback). Hornung held the record for the most points scored in a single season (176) for 46 years until San Diego Charger and former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson broke the record in December 2006.

Vince Lombardi once said that Hornung was the most versatile man to have ever played the game of football, and he lived up to that reputation by successfully playing a number of positions including quarterback, kicker and halfback. Hornung also is one of the few players in the Packers’ history to score more than 600 points. He scored 760 points in nine seasons on 62 touchdowns, 190 extra points and 66 field goals. He also gained 3,711 yards rushing and 1,480 yards on pass receptions.

A fan favorite who has been blessed with numerous commercial endorsements, Hornung’s post-football years have included a successful career as a real estate investor and president of Paul Hornung Enterprises, which includes several business ventures. He also remains involved with football as the host and executive producer of “ Paul Hornung Sports Showcase.” The national program is aired on Sports Channel America .

Hornung’s autobiography, Golden Boy, was published in 2004. His book about the late Packers coach Vince Lombardi, Lombardi and Me: Players, Coaches and Colleagues Talk About the Man and the Myth, was published in 2006.

Hornung, born Dec. 23, 1935, in Louisville , Ky. , currently resides there with his wife, Angela.

The Davey O'Brien Legends Award
The Davey O’Brien Legends Award was established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Davey O’Brien Foundation and to pay tribute to the legendary Davey O’Brien. This award recognizes a quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, has distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader, and has demonstrated exemplary conduct both on and off the football field…just as the man for whom the award is named.

The Selection Committee
Scott Murray, Chairman
Robert Brown, M.D.
Paul W. Greenwell
Charles Ringler