ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Naval Academy legend and 1960 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino passed away on Wednesday evening in Massachusetts at the age of 81. Bellino was a 1961 graduate of the Naval Academy and was Navy's first Heisman Trophy winner and first football player to have his number retired.
 
"It is heartbreaking for all of us in Annapolis to lose our role model and friend who epitomized honor, character, humility, development at the highest level, and an unwavering love for his alma mater," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.  "Joe inspired everyone who knew him and always found time to share his wonderful personality and embracing smile.  The memories we have of Joe will never fade.  His influence,  spirit, and legacy will forever be ingrained in the fiber of what the Naval Academy represents.  Our sincerest condolences to his family and to friends who will never forget one of our favorite sons and greatest of all time." 
 
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Bellino family," said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo.  "We honor and celebrate the life of a Navy legend and an American icon.  Every time that I met him, he was so humble and gracious"
 
"I remember watching Joe dominate Army in the 1959 Army-Navy game and his performance that day helped me decide that I wanted to go to the Naval Academy," said Roger Staubach, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1963.  "When I got to the Naval Academy in 1961, Joe was there as a TAD coach. He coached the plebe backfield and was my first college position coach. I've always been a big fan of his. He was as good as it gets as a person, I idolized him. I watched Navy football quite a bit on television when I was in high school and the biggest reason was to watch Joe Bellino. He was known for his big calves. He was so strong and had great speed.  He will certainly be missed."
 
"Joe was my first hero and football inspiration.  His standard of excellence was a great example for me, as well as everyone associated with the Naval Academy and college football fans," said New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who grew up in Annapolis and whose father, Steve, was a longtime assistant coach at Navy.  
 
"Joe excelled in football and baseball at Navy and I attended many of his games with my father.  My father held Joe in high esteem and my parents remained close with Joe and his family," continued Belichick.  "Joe was a warm and unselfish person – I feel privileged to have enjoyed a lifelong friendship with him.  The first football game I remember was in 1959 when Joe scored three touchdowns in Navy's 43-12 victory over Army.  When Joe graduated in 1961 he gave me his midshipman cover – 50 years later, I gave it back to him because it belongs in his family.  He was very helpful to me when I came to the Patriots.  He spoke to our team several times and helped many of our players and coaches through his connections in this area. I enjoyed the opportunity to see and talk to him on a regular basis for the last 20 years. Joe was a great man and I will miss him greatly."
 
Bellino, a native of Winchester, Mass., was known as the player who was never caught from behind.  In just three seasons, he scored 31 touchdowns, rushed for 1,664 yards on 330 carries, returned 37 kicks for 833 yards and set 15 school records.
 
Bellino was a unanimous All-America selection at halfback in 1960 and was also the winner of the Maxwell Award. His end zone interception preserved Navy's 17-12 win over Army that season. The Midshipmen were ranked as a high as fourth in the country and went on to play in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1961.
 
Bellino was also an outstanding catcher and outfielder on the Navy baseball team.  He hit .428 in 22 games in 1959 and led the Eastern Intercollegiate League in stolen bases. He had a .320 average in 1960 and was the baseball team captain in 1961.
 
Army partisans can hardly forget the 1959-60 academic year for what Bellino did to the Cadets. In addition to his three-touchdown performance in the 1959 Army-Navy game, he was equally sensational in the Army-Navy baseball game in 1960. Bellino went 4-for-4 at the plate, drove in three runs, stole two bases and threw out two Army runners attempting to steal as Navy carved out a 9-1 win.
 
Bellino capped off his senior year (1960-61) at the Academy by winning the school's top two athletic awards, the Thompson Trophy and the Naval Academy Athletic Association Sword, marking the first time in 41 years that one midshipman received both of these awards.
 
Bellino's number 27 jersey in football was retired after the 1960 season. He had a three-year stint with the Boston Patriots after he had completed his four-year service obligation. He stayed in the Navy Reserves for 24 more years and reached the rank of Captain.
 
Bellino was a 1977 inductee into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and was a charter inductee into the Maryland Football Shrine in 1984. The Bellino Auditorium in Ricketts Hall is named after this outstanding athlete and in 2009, he was named to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial All-Stadium Team.  During its annual season-ending football banquet, Navy presents the Joe Bellino Award to the varsity football player whose inspiring on-field performance made a significant impact on the team and contributed to its overall success during the season.
 
Bellino worked for 40 years in the auto leasing and auction industry and prior to that was an independent business owner. He was also a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Northern Bank and Trust, but was most proud of his participation in local or national charities, including that for the Disabled and Limbless Veterans.
 
Bellino is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann; his son, John, a 1989 graduate of the Naval Academy; and his daughter, Therese, as well as his daughter-in-law Annette and three grandsons, Ian, Evan and Eric; and his son-in-law Cary.