Analyzing Nile Kinnick's Heisman Speech

644 Words2 Pages

Nile Kinnick’s Heisman Speech
How would it feel to win the most prestigious award in college football? Well Nile Kinnick felt this happiness when his name was announced to win the Heisman Trophy in 1939. Nile Kinnick’s Heisman acceptance speech is one of the most famous Heisman speeches given. This speech was given at the Downtown Athletic Club, in New York City December 6, 1939. This speech is a very motivational and classy speech, Kinnick really reached his audience. This speech will go over many things, such as his memorable introduction, his famous closing or his speech, and how this speech influenced the audience.
To start with is the introduction; Nile Kinnick was very overwhelmed and happy to receive this trophy. It was a very classy …show more content…

"And I would like, if I may, to make a comment which I think is appropriate at this time. "I thank God that I was born to the gridirons of the Middle West and not to the battlefields of Europe. I can speak confidently and positively that the football players of this country would rather fight for the Heisman trophy than for the Croix de Guerre," (Kinnick). This is what made the conclusion so memorable and what really influenced the audience. The Croix de Guerre is an award given by the France to their armed forces, for an honorary act. It is the most prestigious award given by their military. With Nile Kinnick, saying this it showed true character and showed another reason why this is considered a great acceptance speech. When he said this quote it can be heard from the audience how proud they are that they are Americans and not in the battlefields of Europe or fighting for the beloved Croix de Guerre. Less than three years after accepting the Heisman Trophy Nile Kinnick went to fight in World War Two, instead of playing pro football or finishing school. He was K.I.A, which is why his speech plays inside Kinnick Stadium every home football game, also this is where Kinnick Stadium got its

Open Document