Football Legend, Horse Owner Hornung Dies at 84

Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung, who became a Thoroughbred owner after his retirement from football, died Nov. 13 in his hometown of Louisville after a battle with dementia. He was 84.

Beloved by many in the city of Louisville, where he was a high school sports star, Hornung later played college football for Notre Dame, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 and became known as "The Golden Boy" owing to his blond hair. In the 1957 National Football League draft, he was selected first by the Green Bay Packers.

Under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, Hornung was the league's Most Valuable Player in 1961. He played on four of Lombardi's five NFL championship teams. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, a player so versatile that he played quarterback, halfback, and kicker.

Known to gamble, Hornung missed the 1963 NFL season, serving a suspension commissioner Pete Rozelle imposed after the player admitted to betting on NFL games.

After he retired from football in 1967, Hornung eventually became a radio and television commentator. He also directed interest toward horse racing, developing into a regular at Churchill Downs, his hometown track. He also became a horse owner.

One colt he owned in partnership, Titletown Five, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, raced in the 2013 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, finishing ninth. Lukas also owned a piece of the son of Tiznow  with several others.

"We didn't have a trainer-client relationship; we had a dear close friendship," Lukas said. "We dabbled in the horses together a little bit, but that was secondary to a strong and very special friendship that we had."

Titletown Five was purchased by Hornung at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Warrendale Sales consignment. After racing, the horse was "retired to one of our special gallop girls," Lukas said.

Hornung was a frequent visitor to Churchill's Gold Room, an area reserved for high-rolling gamblers.

"He loved to bet 'em—I mean race 1 thru 9. He loved the horses," Lukas said. "I think if you said to Paul, 'Where would you like to spend the afternoon today?' He would say the racetrack every day."

Hornung is survived by his wife of 41 years, Angela.

Due to COVID-19, a funeral mass will be private at St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville followed by burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Norton Sports Health Athletics and Learning Complex via the Louisville Urban League, 1535 West Broadway, Louisville, Ky., 40203; or the Sister Visitor Center via Catholic Charities of Louisville, 2911 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Ky., 40208.