Attributes of Typical Heisman Trophy Winners

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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...

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... 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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