The Heisman Trophy: A Tradition of Excellence

It’s a tradition that has taken on a life of its own. When the college football season begins (and often before the final note of the first game’s National Anthem squeaks out), the buzz regarding potential Heisman Trophy candidates gets underway.

The Heisman Trophy is arguably the most recognizable award in collegiate sports. Sure, there are numerous annual awards presented to talented, deserving college football players. For example, just a few prestigious awards include,

• Fred Biletnikoff Award- Top Pass Receiver

• Vince Lombardi Award- Top Lineman

• Jim Thorpe Award- Best Defensive Back

• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award- Top Senior Quarterback

• Lou Groza Award- Best Kicker

But when it comes to recognizability, the Heisman Trophy eclipses them all. Over the years, it has made players household names, cemented dynasties, and become more than a bronze statue in a stiff-arm pose. It is the essence of excellence that embodies the grind and the constant chase for supremacy in a sport that never rests.

About the Heisman

The Heisman Trophy was first awarded in 1935, then known as the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy. Its purpose was to honor the best college football player east of the Mississippi River.

The trophy’s first recipient, Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago, learned about his win via a telegram. He also received a trip for two to New York City. This notification is a far cry from modern Heisman Trophy presentation ceremonies that take place on primetime television.

In 1936, the award expanded to include collegiate football players throughout the nation. Additionally, the name of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy was changed to honor its Athletic Director and influential head coach, John Heisman, who passed away from pneumonia.

For several decades, the award was bestowed in a relatively intimate setting without primetime fanfare and a gallery of cameras. By the mid-1970s, the Heisman ceremony began to morph into the event it is today. Prestige and a primetime television presence, fueled by media, fans, and numerous platforms, have made the Heisman Trophy a cultural icon, and its awards show must-see TV.

Heisman Trophy Voting

The voters for the Heisman Trophy include

-All living Heisman Trophy winners can vote

-College football fans can vote via the Nissan Heisman House online.

(All fan votes are tabulated and will equal a single ballot.)

– Roughly 870 writers and broadcasters who cover college football.

(Representatives from six geographic regions choose these voters.)

Criticisms

Over the years the Heisman has received plenty of criticism. Accusations of unfairness have focused on,

• Bias towards offensive players over defensive players- In Heisman history only two primarily defensive players have won a Heisman. Both Charles Woodson (Michigan, 1997) and Travis Hunter (Colorado, 2024) were successful on both sides of the line. Visibility and compilation of stats are the most common reasons for this.

• Preferential selection of quarterbacks- As of 2024, there were 39 quarterbacks selected as winners of the award. While this is less than 50%,  the number of QB Heisman winners raises a few eyebrows. The number of quarterbacks receiving the trophy is justified by the position’s increased visibility and the tendency for these players to be viewed as team leaders.

• Subjectivity of the Heisman- The fact that so many individuals have carte blanche to decide what equals greatness, makes the award a target for criticism.

As the Heisman Trophy picture for 2025 comes into focus, remember that the trophy is not just about football. The award is also about the lore surrounding it. Because in college football, the story is often as big as the stats.