Notre Dame football great Nick Eddy dies at 81

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - Nick Eddy, an All-America running back who helped Notre Dame win the 1966 national championship, died at age 81.

Eddy finished third in the 1966 Heisman Trophy voting behind Florida quarterback Steve Spurrier and Purdue’s Bob Griese. According to our reporting partners at the South Bend Tribune, that remained the highest finish by a Notre Dame running back until Jeremiyah Love matched that result last month.

After graduating from college, Eddy played six seasons with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. He finished his career with five touchdowns and 760 scrimmage yards.

After retiring from professional football, the university said Eddy earned a master’s degree and spent many years as a special education teacher in California.

According to Eric Hansen from Blue & Gold, Eddy died from cardiac arrest on New Year’s Eve.