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For those of you who aren’t familiar with American Football, the Heisman Trophy is the College Football equivalent of the Brownlow Medal. The Heisman Trophy showcases the future of the NFL, the potential stars, but the Heisman over the last decade has developed a reputation for shattering the dreams of all those who have honored it.
In 2000, Florida State’s Chris Weinke was awarded prestigious Heisman Trophy following a dominant season in at quarterback. Weinke was snapped up by Carolina, but only managed to lead the Panthers to a 1-15 season, in the processes closing the door on a promising career.
In 2001, The Heisman Trophy went to Nebraska, with the versatile Eric Crouch claiming the prize. Crouch was one of the few quarterbacks that could play another position, starting his career as a pacey wide receiver. Crouch spent time at three NFL franchises but never set foot on the field.
2002 is the only exception to the rule with Carson Palmer currently holding down the starting quarterback role in Cincinnati.
2003 saw Jason White fend off Larry Fitzgerald, Phillip Rivers and Eli Manning for the Heisman Trophy. White was not chosen in the draft the following year whilst Fitzgerald, Rivers and Manning all became house hold names in the NFL.
2004 winner Matt Leinart spent four years at Arizona only to be sacked prior to his first season as starting quarterback.
2005 winner Reggie Bush won the Heisman, then Lost the Heisman thanks to cash incentives that were given to him whilst playing for South Carolina. Furthermore, Bush has recently been fighting a losing battle against fellow running back Pierre Thomas for the starting position in New Orleans.
Troy Smith collected eight trophies, one being the Heisman, in the 2006 season. The young quarterback from Ohio State has spent time in Baltimore and San Fransisco with a mere three touchdowns to his name.
Tim Tebow was the 2007 winner, one of the few to do so in his sophomore year. Tebow was drafted in 2010 and is yet to be proven.
In 2008, a stellar season from quarterback Sam Bradford allowed the Heisman to head Oklahoma bound, the city called home. Bradford was heavily sighted as the number 1 draft pick in 2010 and the St.Louis Rams followed through with speculation, signing Bradford as their starting quarterback following a disappointing Season.
Like Tebow, Bradford is yet to be proven.
Finally Running back Mark Ingram Jr. The boy from “Bama” is expected to feature high in the NFL draft next year, but history will not be on his side as he looks to peruse a career in the NFL.
The Heisman Trophy has become a burden to those who win it, but College Football is only to blame, not the award. Players are developing at such a rate, when the transition to NFL is made, they are incapable to adapting to the style and often many find themselves stuck in Collage mode.
Ironically this is one trophy sportsman should not strive to achieve.
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