Mesothelioma News: Johnny Lattner

On February 13, 2016 Johnny Lattner the Heisman Trophy winner and two time All American died of mesothelioma. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1953 while playing football for the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Thereafter, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He died at the age of eighty three (83).

Lattner was born and raised in Chicago and spent most of his adult like in the city. He became known throughout Chicago for his generous and willingness to help nature. Many times he gave free speeches at charity events and lent his Heisman Trophy out for fundraisers. He was also credited with saving twenty five (25) people from a burning apartment building near one of his restaurants.

Johnny Lattner: Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Lattner was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in September 2014; he cited his summer jobs in college as the cause of his asbestos exposure. It was during these different summer jobs where he worked with asbestos products. Lattner had also spent two years (2yrs) in the U. S Air Force which also exposed him to asbestos. His career ended while in the U. S Air Force where he suffered a severe knee injury.

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, he used the fame he had from football to support other asbestos victims. Furthermore, he lobbied against the Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency (FACT) Act, which would make it harder for those who want compensation from asbestos trust funds. He worked with local legislators to amend the Illinois Statute of Repose, which helps victims hold corporations responsible for asbestos exposure of employees.

John Lattner joins other rich and famous people who died from mesothelioma, the likes of:

• Steve McQueen – movie star
• Warren Zevon – Singer song writer and Grammy Award winner
• Hamilton Jordan – White House Chief of Staff for President Jimmy Carter