The coincidence of Black History Month and the death of 83-year-old John Lattner revives a time in sports that is better forgotten.
Seldom has racism and Notre Dame favoritism joined forces in a more obvious way than when Lattner received the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and Illini great J.C. Caroline finished seventh in the voting.
Lattner was an excellent all-around athlete for the Irish, whose 9-0-1 campaign in 1953 was marred only by a 14-14 tie with Iowa, then a 3-3 Big Ten team.
Lattner rushed for 651 yards and nine touchdowns, adding two TDs on kickoff returns.