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| - Paul Hornung, who won four NFL titles -- including Super Bowl I -- as a star for the powerhouse Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, has died at the age of 84, the Louisville Sports Commission said Friday. The commission said the Hall of Famer died in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, after a long battle with dementia. Hailed by legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi as "the most versatile man ever to play the game," Hornung was the top overall selection by the Packers in the 1957 NFL draft after winning the Heisman Trophy as a star at the University of Notre Dame. It was at Notre Dame the blond-haired Hornung was dubbed "The Golden Boy" and he didn't disappoint upon arrival in the pro league, where he evolved into a star halfback and place kicker. "The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Paul Hornung," said David Baker, the president of the Hall in Canton, Ohio. "He was an outstanding player and an incredible man. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Paul's memory." In 1960, Hornung accounted for an NFL-record 176 points -- via touchdowns, field goals and extra points -- a single-season record that stood for 46 years until it was broken by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. In 1961 Hornung earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors as he led the Packers to the title. They would claim three more during his tenure, in 1962, 1965 and 1966 -- the season of the inaugural Super Bowl. Hornung, born on December 23, 1935, in Louisville, had showcased his versatility at Notre Dame. Hornung led the Fighting Irish in passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff returns, punt returns and punting. On defense, he led the team in passes broken up and was second in tackles and interceptions. "In the middle of the field he may be only slightly better than an average ballplayer," Lombardi once said, "but inside the 20-yard line he is one of the greatest I have ever seen. "He smells that goal line." Hornung almost missed the NFL championship game in 1961 when he was summoned for Army duty. Lombardi put in a call to President John F. Kennedy and Hornung was granted leave. "Paul Hornung isn't going to win the war on Sunday, but the football fans of this country deserve the two best teams on the field that day," Kennedy is reported to have said. Hornung scored 19 points on one rushing touchdown, three field goals and four extra point kicks in the Packers' 37-0 win over the New York Giants. Hornung's career was slowed by a pinched nerve in his neck and a gambling scandal that saw him suspended for the entire 1963 season after NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle found that he and Detroit Lions star Alex Karras had bet on NFL games. Hornung was reinstated for the 1964 season, but his production dwindled. He played in nine games in 1966 but didn't appear in the Super Bowl won by the Packers because of injury. He finished a nine-year career with 760 points on 62 touchdowns, 66 field goals and 190 extra points. Hornung remains the only player to win the Heisman Trophy, be selected first overall, win the NFL MVP Award and be inducted in both the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame. In 2016 he sued equipment manufacturer Riddell Inc., saying football helmets he wore during his professional career failed to protect him from brain injury. bb/rcw
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