Hornung, `Golden Boy' of Packers, dies at 84
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Paul Hornung, t he dazzling "Golden Boy" of the Green Bay Packers whose singular ability to generate points as a runner, receiver, quarterback and kicker helped turn the team into an NFL dynasty, died Friday. He was 84.
H or nun g' s family confirmed his death to the Louisville Sports Commission and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In July 2016, Hornung sued equipment manufacturer Riddell Inc., saying football helmets he wore during his professional career failed to protect him from brain injury. Hornung suffered multiple concussions with the Packers and had been diagnosed with dementia, the lawsuit said.
Hornung won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. He was the NFL MVP in 1961 and played on four championship teams (1961, '62, `65 and '66).
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Hornung and another of the league's top stars, Detroit' s Alex K arr as, were suspended for 1963 by Commissioner Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with undesirable persons. They returned to the NFL the next year.
H or nungw on the Heisman as a quarterback. But he switched to halfback in the pros and was one of the NFL's most dynamic players in Green Bay.
Playing alongside numerous future Hall of Famers, the blond, funl ovi ng Hornung was a favorite of Packers coach Vince Lombardi, who thought of the young star as a son and singled him out for praise and chastisement. Frequent fines for missing curfew were forgiven once the game started, especially when the dashing No. 5 got close to the end zone.