Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy, known simply as the Heisman Trophy is annually awarded to the college football player whose “Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work.” Since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City. The 2024 Heisman Trophy presentation will award the iconic honor for the 89th time.
Humble Beginnings
In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club awarded what would become known as the Heisman Trophy for the first time. It was simply known as the DAC Trophy in the first year and was awarded to Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago for being the best college football player “east of the Mississippi.” The following year, the award was renamed to honor legendary coach John Heisman who was the clubs athletic director that had passed away that year, and broadened its criteria to include the entire country. Larry Kelley from Yale University won the Heisman Trophy in 1936, the first year of the renamed award. [1]
Many early Heisman Trophy Winners went on to have legendary careers in professional football which elevated the magnitude of winning the award. Now legendary names such as Davey O’Brien (1938), Tom Harmon (1940), and Doak Walker (1948) are synonymous with excellence in college football, each brought prestige to the Heisman Trophy. This continued on with other notable winners such as Paul Hornung (1956), and Billy Cannon (1959.)
Integration
In 1961, the Heisman Trophy Winner was Ernie Davis, running back from Syracuse. Davis was the first African-American to win the award. The 1960’s would see two more African-American Heisman Winners in Mike Garrett (1965) and O.J. Simpson (1968.) The 1970s would see six more African-American Heisman Trophy Winners including the only two time winner, Archie Griffin running back Ohio State in 1974 and 1975. By the time the 1980’s was complete, the Heisman Trophy had a strong lineage within the African-American community, with eight of the ten winners of the decade going to black football stars. [2]
As of 2024, there have been thirty-one African-American Heisman Winners, including the 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden Daniels.
An Iconic Trophy
The actual trophy itself, was designed by sculptor Frank Eliscu, and is modeled after Ed Smith, a 1934 New York University football player and former high school classmate of Eliscu. The bronze statue features a leather helmet era player in stride holding a football with one hand, while extending his other arm in a stiff-arm move. A move that many running backs still use when carrying the ball today. The dimensions of the trophy are 13.5” tall, 14” long, 16” in width and weighs 45 pounds.
Heisman Trophy Selection
The Heisman Trophy selection process is twofold.
1- Members of the media are selected as voters. In all there are 845 media voters selected. The Heisman Trust divides the country into six geographic regions, in each region the Trust gives 145 media members voting rights to ensure a fair process.
2- Former winners are given a vote. As of 2024, there are 57 former winners active with the option to vote for the winner of the Heisman Trophy.
Each voter is allowed to list their top three players. The 1st place player receives 3 votes, while 2nd gets two and 3rd gets one. The total points are then calculated to establish the winner the Heisman Trophy. [3]
Since 1999, in a sponsorship of the Heisman Trophy, Nissan has put on a fan vote for the Heisman Trophy Winner. After all votes are tallied, Nissan gives one vote to the winner of the fan vote. This is more of a marketing ploy than an actual vote. The Nissan vote doesn’t list the top three players, they are allowed to give a single vote to the winner of the poll.
The Heisman Trophy Ceremony
From 1935 to 2000, the Heisman Trophy Ceremony took place in the Downtown Athletic Club but space was always limited. Beginning in 2001, the ceremony took place in various venues around New York City. These venues include New York Marriott Marquis, The Yale Club of New York City, Hilton New York, Palladium Times Square, and the new home since 2021- Jazz at Lincoln Center. One exception was the 2020 season where the ceremony was remote due to Covid-19 restrictions.
CBS first broadcasted the Heisman Trophy Ceremony in 1977. Since then, several networks and a few years of syndication have broadcasted the presentation. In 1994, ESPN took over hosting the show and has been the home of the Heisman Trophy Presentation every year since. Every year, around 1.5 to 3 million people watch the Heisman Trophy Ceremony live.
Schools with the Most Heisman Winners
As of 2024, nineteen universities have had multiple Heisman Trophy Winners. USC currently stands alone with the most at 8 winners. Three universities are behind them tied at 7 winners- Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. After them, Alabama stands at 4. Seven schools have three winners, and seven more have 2 Heisman Trophy Winners. Twenty-one others have only 1 Heisman Trophy Winner.
Heisman Trophy by Position
While the Heisman Trophy is intended to be awarded to the top player in college football, it has almost always been an offensive award. In fact, only one full time defensive player (Ernie Davis played offense and defense in 1961) has ever won the award- 1997 Charles Woodson. Early in the awards history, winners would be ends, running backs, or quarterback. In the late 60’s and early 70s, running backs dominated the award. Since then, quarterbacks have taken over as the primary winners. Of the last 10 winners, as of 2023, eight were quarterback, one wide receiver, and one running back.
How the Heisman Trophy is Awarded
The winner is announced at the Heisman Trophy Ceremony each year, they become owners of the trophy and can display it however they wish. In 1966, Heisman Trophy Winner Steve Spurrier gifted his trophy to the University of Florida for them to put on display. In appreciation of Spurrier’s generosity, the Florida student government raised funds to purchase him a replacement Heisman Trophy. The following year, the Downtown Athletic Club awarded a Heisman Trophy to the player, and sent another to the winner’s university for display.
2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony
The 2024 Heisman Ceremony will take place on December 14, 2024 in New York City at 8pm Eastern Time from the Jazz at Lincoln Center. The presentation will be broadcast live on ESPN.
References
- Heisman [ John W Heisman ] August 28, 2024
- News One [ Black Heisman Winners ] August 28, 2024
- College Football Select [ How Does Heisman Voting Work ] August 28, 2024
Contributors
Last Modified: August 28, 2024