Joe Bellino, Navy's First Heisman Trophy Winner, Dies
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Joe Bellino, Navy's first Heisman Trophy winner, died in Massachusetts on Wednesday.
Bellino, who was the 1960 Heisman Trophy winner, was 81 years old when he died.
According to The Capital Gazette, Bellino was a "standout halfback for the Midshipmen, had been in failing health for some time."
He played for Navy from 1958 to 1960.
Navy fans shared condolences on social media Friday morning as the news broke:
Terribly saddened to wake up this morning to news of Joe Bellino having passed away. He was a great player and a great man.
— Mike James (@navybirddog) March 29, 2019
I mean, look at this guy runhttps://t.co/NEqTWflUkr
— Mike James (@navybirddog) March 29, 2019
Mourning the loss of Winchester legend and American hero Joe Bellino. Navy veteran, Heisman Trophy award winner and an all-around great man. My condolences to the entire Bellino family. pic.twitter.com/fBnydCZLxA
— Michael Day (@mikeday4rep) March 29, 2019
RIP Joe Bellino, @HeismanTrophy winner, and the greatest Winchester Sachem football player of all time. Our high school library proudly displayed a large action photo of Joe playing for Navy - he inspired generations of @WHSachemSports boys on the gridiron. A great man.
— Rich Burke (@RichBurkeSME) March 29, 2019
Bellino's son told WJZ his father was in great health and even working through Feb. 2019, but was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
"Dad was a physical force of nature during his playing career and held to that standard right to the end," John Bellino said.
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