The Heisman Trophy Award is the most prestigious individual achievement award in college footballs. It’s highly publicized, ceremoniously presented, and football fans everywhere anticipate it, sometimes debate the outcome, and always revere its tradition. According to the name of John W. Heisman, the game rules originator and an award founder, who was typically a college football player and a coach himself, the name of the trophy was given in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City.

There was the process followed by the electoral process which assures a vote free of regional bias. The country is divided into six regions with a media member of note in charge of each. It is the responsibility of each rep to select a group of knowledgeable voters from the football reporting media in each. Presently, 941 votes are cast.

There have been 71 Heismans awarded already. The individuality we want in this team game is graphically depicted in the positions of the winner. Running backs have 41 trophies and 23 went to quarter backs. Confirms what’s considered essential to winning. In 1997, Charles Woodsen of Michigan became the only defensive player to win the award.

After finishing college football, winners are gaining too many trophies, but after this the cheering stopped. Eric Crouch (2001) hasn’t played in the NFL, is hoping to catch on in the Canadian League. Josh White (2003) never played a game after college. The only two time winner Archie Griffin (1974 1975) hung on through several dismal seasons with the Bengals. Gino Torretta (1992) got into 2 NFL games over 4 years. Gary Beban (1967) rode the bench for 2 NFL seasons. Terry Baker (1962) didn’t stick with the Rams and went to the Canadian League. Andre Ware (1989) signed a big contract then sat on the bench for 4 seasons before retiring. Rashaan Salaam (1994) had a short, uneventful career marred by substance abuse suspensions. Joe Bellino (1960) carried the 30 times over 3 seasons before calling it quits. Five of the first 15 winners chose other careers. O.J. Simpson (1968) never understood what it meant.