The History of the Heisman Trophy

by Dan Holmes, June 13, 2025

The Heisman Trophy isn’t just a statue—it’s an American myth. It’s college football’s most coveted individual prize, bestowed annually upon the most outstanding player in the nation. But like all myths, it’s part glory, part illusion, and part very shiny metal.

If you’ve ever wondered, who is the Heisman Trophy named after, that would be Hall of Famer John W. Heisman, a coach so influential he once lobbied for legalizing the forward pass. (Revolutionary, no?)

From where did the Heisman Trophy come from to the glories and follies of its winners, this is a deep dive into college football’s most storied award.

Heisman Trophy History 101

The first trophy was awarded in 1935, back when players wore leather helmets and announcers used the phrase “gridiron warriors” without irony. That inaugural winner? Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago—a man who turned down the NFL for a more lucrative career in rubber manufacturing.

Since then, Heisman Trophy history has grown into a spectacle of stiff-arms, press conferences, and heated debates over voter bias.

The Heisman Trophy: Glory, Grievances, and a Forgotten Rival

In the annals of American sports, few awards carry the instant recognition and mythical weight of the Heisman Trophy. Since 1935, it’s been the most famous individual honor in college football, a bronze stiff-arm that turns teenagers into legends overnight. But behind the ceremony and tradition lies a trail of controversial votes, unfair snubs, and a long-forgotten rivalry with a prize once just as glittering: the Hickok Belt.

There are winners, and then there are moments. Archie Griffin winning the Heisman twice (1974, 1975) was more than a headline—it was history. Barry Sanders’ 1988 campaign, with over 2,600 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns, set a statistical standard that may never be touched. Charles Woodson, in 1997, became the first (and still only) primarily defensive player to win, leaping past Peyton Manning in a moment that still ignites barroom debates in Knoxville.

Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, and Lamar Jackson each won the award as underclassmen, shifting the notion that only upperclassmen had the maturity and resume for such acclaim. These moments helped the Heisman remain relevant in an age of highlight reels and social media virality.

The Controversies

With greatness comes the grumbling. The Heisman voting process has often left fans—and players—bewildered.

Peyton Manning’s loss to Charles Woodson in 1997? One half of the country still thinks it was theft. Then there’s Reggie Bush’s 2005 win, later vacated after an NCAA investigation into improper benefits. He returned the trophy, but the stain remains—and the NCAA still hasn’t quite figured out how to treat that era.

Cam Newton’s 2010 season came amid whispers of a “pay-to-play” scandal involving his father. Newton was cleared (sort of), but the controversy didn’t stop him from dominating the vote—and every defense he faced.

Johnny Manziel’s win in 2012 was almost overshadowed by his off-field antics, while Jameis Winston’s 2013 award came despite an ongoing sexual assault investigation. Neither case resulted in a conviction, but the Heisman’s luster dimmed for many who questioned the award’s moral compass.

The Forgotten Rival: The Hickok Belt

Before ESPN turned the Heisman into an annual red carpet event, the Hickok Belt quietly represented something broader: excellence in all sports. First awarded in 1950, it went to the top professional athlete of the year—across all sports disciplines. Winners included legends like Mickey Mantle, Jim Brown, and Sandy Koufax. For a while, it truly rivaled the Heisman in stature, especially because it spanned the pros, not just college.

The Hickok Belt came with a literal heavyweight belt—over 5 pounds of gold and leather, like something out of a boxing movie. In the 1950s and 1960s, many considered it a greater career accomplishment than a college football trophy. But over time, as media focus narrowed and the Heisman grew into a televised juggernaut, the Hickok faded into obscurity. The belt was discontinued in 1976, only to be revived in 2012 with far less fanfare.

Today, few remember the Hickok Belt unless they’re reading the fine print in a sports memorabilia catalog. Yet for decades, it stood as a symbol of broader athletic dominance—a contrast to the Heisman’s narrow, football-only lane.

Heisman’s Complicated Legacy

Despite its controversies and sometimes perplexing voting decisions, the Heisman Trophy remains a crown jewel in college football. It catapults young athletes into the spotlight, gives fans something to argue about in December, and offers a snapshot of the sport’s shifting priorities—whether that’s defense, dual-threat quarterbacks, or dazzling highlight reels.

Still, as college football continues to evolve with NIL deals and the transfer portal, and playoff expansion, the Heisman must reckon with its past and sharpen its future.

After all, greatness deserves more than a bronze statue. Sometimes, it needs a belt too.

About the Heisman Trophy: It’s Not Just for Quarterbacks

Though QBs have dominated lately, legends like Barry Sanders, whose 1988 season is the stuff of pixelated highlight reel dreams, and Griffin, the only two-time winner, prove the award is open to anyone fast, flashy, and fantastic enough.

Even Roger Staubach, Navy’s golden boy in 1963, turned his Heisman into a Super Bowl MVP resume. But fun fact: Deion Sanders, despite his omnipresent swagger and self-bestowed nicknames, never won the Heisman. Must have been too busy returning punts, covering receivers, and talking in the third person.

History of Heisman Trophy Winners: The Icons

• Archie Griffin – Only repeat winner, certified Ohio State deity.
• Barry Sanders – 2,628 rushing yards in one season. Unquestionable greatness.
• Tim Tebow – Evangelist with an arm (and surprisingly underrated grit).
• Charles Woodson – The only primarily defensive player to win.

The Not-So-Glorious Side: Heisman Busts

Winning the Heisman doesn’t guarantee NFL immortality. In fact, some winners go on to collect more parking tickets than touchdowns. Here are a few infamous post-Heisman cautionary tales:

• Gino Torretta (1992) – Drafted in the seventh round. Career: two pass attempts.
• Eric Crouch (2001) – Never played a down in the NFL.
• Jason White (2003) – Injuries derailed a potential pro career before it began.
• Johnny Manziel (2012) – A meteoric fall, one Vegas trip at a time.

The Heisman shines bright, but it doesn’t protect against poor decision-making, weak offensive lines, or the Cleveland Browns.

Despite the occasional flameout, the award endures. Each fall, pundits argue and highlight packages swell as voters try to decide who’s next to etch their name alongside legends. And while not all Heisman winners go on to NFL greatness, the pageantry and passion of college football ensure the award remains iconic.

Want to get closer to the action? Check out top college football betting sites and follow the next generation of contenders.

The Heisman Trophy is part of college football’s soul. It elevates players into folklore, even if only for a moment. It’s equal parts reward and expectation, beauty and burden. And as any college football fan will tell you—it still matters.

To borrow a phrase from another era of American showmanship: win the Heisman, and they’ll never forget your name—even if they might forget your stats.