HEISMAN DILEMMA
The Heisman Trophy: symbol of unquestionable superiority among
fellow NCAA division 1-A athletes . . . or is it? This unique honor is
awarded to the player who the Heisman panel believes is the “best” player
in 1-A. The award can be given to a player of “any position,” or so
the Heisman committee says. There has never been a Heisman candidate
who hasn’t been a quarterback, running back, or multi-purpose skill
player (for example: someone who plays wide receiver, defensive back, and
is a situational running back). Does the Heisman Trophy really determine
who the best player (and therefore best NFL prospect) is? I can prove who
will win the Heisman this year, but should that person be the Heisman
winner?
Kirk Herbstreit is currently ESPN’s leading college football journalist,
and I consider him the undeniable authority on all matters associated with
college football. He created his own Website, Heisman Pundit. This
Website contains “The 10 Heismandments,” which I think accurately capture
the unofficial qualifications that the Heisman panel uses to choose the
winner. It is my personal belief that the Heismandments are bogus, but if
you look through the history of Heisman winners, they really do comply
with most (if not all) of the qualifications.
The “Ten Heismandments” are as follows:
1. The winner must be a quarterback, running back, or multi-threat
athlete.
2. The winner must be a Junior or a Senior.
3. The winner must put up good numbers in big games on TV.
4. The winner must have some prior recognition.
5. The Winner must be one of the following three:
a. a top player on a national title contender team;
b. a player who puts up good numbers for a traditional power that
has a good r...
... middle of paper ...
... for money; they don’t have their own clothing lines; hell,
they aren’t even allowed to do endorsements. They play for the love of the
game, for a national title, for a Heisman Trophy, and to get noticed by NFL
coaches. Let’s face it. Every football-loving fan in America is going to watch
all of the top 5 bowls, regardless of who plays them. To take away from the
purity and justice of college football to make a few pennies is an atrocity.
Let’s just hope that NCAA officials can realize what they’re doing, and stop
before it’s too late.
Works Cited
Burns, Marty. “Leinart, Trojans Having a Good Time.” Sports Illustrated. November 2005.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Website. 2005. www.bengals.com.
Heisman Website. 2005. www.heisman.com.
Herbstreit, Kirk. Heisman Pundit. 7 November. 2005. www.heismanpundi.com.
Pasquarelli, Len. ESPN Magazine. November 2005.
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