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Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyers: Football Great Succumbs to Mesothelioma

April 11, 2016

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Last month, football great, Johnny Lattner, lost his battle to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and particularly aggressive form of cancer attributable to exposure to even small amounts of asbestos. Lattner previously attributed his mesothelioma diagnosis to one of his summer jobs while in college and also when he was in the Air Force. Other famous victims of mesothelioma include:

• Ed Lauter, 1938 – 2013, a film and television actor.
• Steve McQueen, 1930-1980, known as the King of Cool and had been the highest paid actor in America.
• Warren Zevon, 1947 – 2003, a famous singer-songwriter nominated for five Grammy Awards and best known for winning a Grammy with Bruce Springsteen for Best Rock Performance by a Duo.
• Merlin Olsen, 1940 – 2010, Hall of Fame football player who later became a broadcaster and actor.
• Hamilton Jordan, 1944 – 2008, Chief of Staff for President Jimmy Carter in the White House.
• Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., 1920 – 2000, served in the Vietnam War and the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations.

Lattner was a Heisman Trophy winner and was also a two-time college football All-American. Time Magazine had featured him on the cover of its magazine and dubbed him a “shining star” during his career. Lattner spent one year in the National Football League as a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was selected to the Pro Bowl. Following these strides in his football career, Lattner joined the U.S. Air Force, which is where he suffered a knee injury that led to his early retirement. Lattner was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in September 2014.

Lattner was born, raised and spent the majority of his life in Chicago. During his life after fame, Lattner owned two restaurants and also held a position as vice president in a graphics printing company. Lattner leaves behind eight children and his wife of 58 years, Peggy Lattner.

Philadelphia Asbestos Lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure and Their Families Seek the Compensation They Deserve

Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler help victims of asbestos exposure fight for their right to compensation. You can call us at 800-369-0899 or contact us online for a consultation in our Pennsylvania or New Jersey offices.