The Heisman Trophy was first awarded in 1935, to Jay Berwanger. It is the oldest of several awards in college football. The trophy is modeled after Ed Smith, who was a New York University running back. The trophy is named after John Heisman, a former coach and player.
John Heisman was football coach and player who innovated the game in many way. He developed one of the first pull plays, where he pulled both guards to lead block around the end for the runner. He also helped legalize the forward pass in 1906. He originated the "hike" that quarterbacks shouted to start each play, and suggested that the game be divided in to quarters, not halves.
Nile Kinnick was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1939. He is the only player from the University of Iowa to win the trophy. He played quarterback from 1936-1939. In a game against Michigan, Iowa was about to score the game winning touchdown. When the refs were discussing whether or not Kinnick was stopped short of the goal line, he went up to one of the refs and told him that was tackled short of the end zone. This shows sportsmanship, class, and honesty no one will ever see in sports today. After rejecting offers to play pro football, and going to law school, Kinnick joined the Naval Air Reserve. He died in a plane crash when his plane had an oil leak and couldn't make it to land or an air craft carrier. The University of Iowa named their football stadium after Nile Kinnick in 1972.
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Heisman Trophy
John Heisman
Nile Kinnick
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Good but no personal thoughts.