SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Johnny Lujack, the star quarterback who led Notre Dame to three national championships and won the Heisman Trophy in 1947, is recovering after spinal surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Surgery on the 89-year-old Lujack was successful and he is doing "very well" Thursday, Mayo spokeswoman Duska Anastasijevic said. Amy Flanagan, Lujack's granddaughter, said he is in good spirits.

"He came through the surgery just great, telling jokes in the intensive care unit," Flanagan said. "He's so positive. He's already making great progress. But he's got a long road to go. He's got to be patient."