SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The University of Notre Dame announced Wednesday that Fighting Irish football legend Nick Eddy has passed away at the age of 81.

Eddy was a Unanimous All-American running back for the 1966 Notre Dame National Championship Team and Heisman Trophy finalist.

After college, Eddy went on to play professionally for six seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Notre Dame noted after retiring from professional football, he went into education, specifically as a special education teacher in Modesto, California after earning his master's degree.