NOTRE DAME'S HEISTMAN HISTORY Notre Dame has seven Heisman Awards, which is offered as proof of their supposed superiority. Truth is, they simply won popularity contests. It is not evidence that Notre Dame produced the best football players. 1943 Voters' Choice: Angelo Bertelli Notre Dame Best Choice: Tony Butkovich Purdue Fueled by the built-in publicity edge of being the Notre Dame quarterback, Bertelli won going away despite enduring his most pedestrian of three seasons in South Bend and playing in only six of the Irishs ten games.  Of course, being called to duty by the Marine Corps during the height of World War II was hardly a flimsy excuse. (more) 1947 Voters' Choice: John Lujack Notre Dame Best Choice: John Lujack Notre Dame 1949 Voters' Choice: Leon Hart Notre Dame Best Choice: Leon Hart Notre Dame 1953 Voters' Choice: John Lattner Notre Dame Best Choice: Paul Giel Minnesota Lattner won the Heisman in 1953 even though he didn't even lead the Irish in passing, rushing, receiving or scoring. Lattner won one of the closest races ever - 1,850 points to 1,794 - over Minnesota tailback Giel, who received more first-place votes (366) than any other runner-up. The two-time All-American Giel was named the Associated Press Back of the Year and the UPI Player of the Year.    1956 Voters' Choice: Paul Hornung Notre Dame Best Choice: Jim Brown Syracuse Quite possibly the most ridiculous of all Heisman outcomes, the Golden Boy won the award despite playing on a miserable 2-8 Irish squad. Its the only time the Heisman has gone to a player from a losing squad, an oddity thats unlikely to happen again. On the flip side, that just went to show just how good Hornung was. Even so, he wasn't the best player in 1956. All-American running back John Majors of 10-1 Tennessee would have been a fine choice.  Who couldve argued with the selection of Tom McDonald, top-ranked Oklahomas star halfback? However, no one in the country was more qualified than Brown, an almost mythical athlete who was stunted by the social climate of the times and a lack of respect for his program. (more) 1964 Voters' Choice: John Huarte Notre Dame Best Choice: Jerry Rhome Tulsa Huarte had a good season leading the Irish to a 9-1 record, but it was nothing special only completing 57% of his passes for 2,062 yards and 16 touchdowns. Meanwhile,  Rhome passed for 2,870 yards and 32 TDs, while throwing 198 passes without an interception that season. 1987 Voters' Choice: Tim Brown Notre Dame Best Choice: Don McPherson Syracuse Long before it had become all the rage at the professional level, McPherson was an early edition of todays coveted multi-dimensional quarterback.  He possessed an NFL arm and a running backs legs.  He could beat a defense with the long ball or the option, and he used those skills to guide the Orangemen to a perfect 11-0 regular season and the schools first New Years Day bowl game since 1965.  That fall, he led the nation in passing and established new single-season Syracuse records for touchdowns passes (22), yards per game (212.8), yards per completion (18.1) and passer rating (164.3).  For his work, McPherson was tabbed a consensus All-American and received the Davey OBrien and Johnny Unitas Awards.  Yet, the Heisman Trophy eluded him in 1987.  That honor went to Tim Brown, Notre Dames gifted wide receiver and return specialist. (more)