The Heisman Trophy is the "Most Prestigious Award in College Football". According to the Heisman Trophy website, "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award."
The winner is not only a fantastic football player, but also someone with great character and integrity. It is and should always be an award given to an admirable player both on and off the field. There is a high level of prestige and honor that comes along with the Heisman Trophy, an award to not be taken lightly by voters, candidates, winners and even fans.
The Heisman Trophy Ceremony is tomorrow, Saturday, December 14th. This year's six Heisman Finalists are:
Jameis Winston has been a stand out candidate for the trophy from the beginning of the season. The red-shirt freshman Quarterback has put up ridiculous numbers and beaten all of his opponents by an average 40-something points. The odds that he won't be our Heisman Trophy winner are extremely slim. I heard (aka, saw on Twitter) that you have to bet $150 in order to win $1. Jameis Winston definitely deserves the Heisman Trophy for his efforts on the field, there's no doubt about it. But what about off the field. What about his character and integrity, things that are more important in a man than his football statistics.
Jameis Winston was recently accused of rape. It was pretty clear, to me and to everyone else who cares, that the Heisman Trophy voters were waiting/hoping for a decision to be made in Jameis Winston's sexual assault case before casting their ballots. Understood. Why would you vote for someone who's just going to get the trophy taken away soon anyway. (See also: Reggie Bush) What a waste. So when I tuned into the press conference held by the Florida State Attorney last Thursday (December 5th) I was thinking Jameis Winston was either going to be our Heisman Trophy Winner or he was going to jail. Pretty opposite extremes, but it was the truth. As I continued to watch the press conference I grew more confused and uncomfortable. There was a lot of snark, smiles and laughter for such a serious matter. It was like after they announced that Winston would not be charged, the rest didn't matter. I felt the prosecutor was proud of the fact that he did not know that Heisman ballots were due in the coming days and that Winston was a potential favorite as if not to give preferential treatment to an athlete, when in fact, that's his duty. The whole things seems a bit fishy to me.
The attorney said that there was not enough evidence to prove that he did rape the girl, meaning there is a chance that he did. I guess the whole innocent until proven guilty thing comes into play here, but I have to question the character and integrity of a man (boy, really. He's only 19) that is being accused of rape. I wouldn't vote for Jameis Winston because the mission of the Heisman Trophy clearly states, "outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity".
The Heisman trophy needs to go to an admirable player both on and off the field! That may not always be the actual case, but that's what is supposed to happen. So what about the other finalists, or perhaps some that didn't make the cut? My top 4 candidates for the Heisman Trophy would be: Johnny Manziel, Tre Mason, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron.
The winner is not only a fantastic football player, but also someone with great character and integrity. It is and should always be an award given to an admirable player both on and off the field. There is a high level of prestige and honor that comes along with the Heisman Trophy, an award to not be taken lightly by voters, candidates, winners and even fans.
The Heisman Trophy Ceremony is tomorrow, Saturday, December 14th. This year's six Heisman Finalists are:
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois University
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M University
Tre Mason, Auburn University
AJ McCarron, University of Alabama
Andre Williams, Boston College
Jameis Winston, Florida State University
Jameis Winston has been a stand out candidate for the trophy from the beginning of the season. The red-shirt freshman Quarterback has put up ridiculous numbers and beaten all of his opponents by an average 40-something points. The odds that he won't be our Heisman Trophy winner are extremely slim. I heard (aka, saw on Twitter) that you have to bet $150 in order to win $1. Jameis Winston definitely deserves the Heisman Trophy for his efforts on the field, there's no doubt about it. But what about off the field. What about his character and integrity, things that are more important in a man than his football statistics.
Jameis Winston was recently accused of rape. It was pretty clear, to me and to everyone else who cares, that the Heisman Trophy voters were waiting/hoping for a decision to be made in Jameis Winston's sexual assault case before casting their ballots. Understood. Why would you vote for someone who's just going to get the trophy taken away soon anyway. (See also: Reggie Bush) What a waste. So when I tuned into the press conference held by the Florida State Attorney last Thursday (December 5th) I was thinking Jameis Winston was either going to be our Heisman Trophy Winner or he was going to jail. Pretty opposite extremes, but it was the truth. As I continued to watch the press conference I grew more confused and uncomfortable. There was a lot of snark, smiles and laughter for such a serious matter. It was like after they announced that Winston would not be charged, the rest didn't matter. I felt the prosecutor was proud of the fact that he did not know that Heisman ballots were due in the coming days and that Winston was a potential favorite as if not to give preferential treatment to an athlete, when in fact, that's his duty. The whole things seems a bit fishy to me.
The attorney said that there was not enough evidence to prove that he did rape the girl, meaning there is a chance that he did. I guess the whole innocent until proven guilty thing comes into play here, but I have to question the character and integrity of a man (boy, really. He's only 19) that is being accused of rape. I wouldn't vote for Jameis Winston because the mission of the Heisman Trophy clearly states, "outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity".
The Heisman trophy needs to go to an admirable player both on and off the field! That may not always be the actual case, but that's what is supposed to happen. So what about the other finalists, or perhaps some that didn't make the cut? My top 4 candidates for the Heisman Trophy would be: Johnny Manziel, Tre Mason, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron.
Aaron Murray is an outstanding QB dispute his team's overall record. I think if the UGA defense was better or if they hadn't suffered so many injuries this season we'd be having a totally different conversation about the University of Georgia right now! But the team's record doesn't make Aaron Murray any less of a quarterback. He put up record-breaking numbers this season and still deserves recognition after his season-ending torn ACL the second to last game of the season. I already told you he is a wonderful QB and from what I can see he is an all around wonderful guy! Check out this string of tweets from Heisman voter, Gene Sapakoff, on why he would have voted for Aaron Murray if Jameis Winston was guilty and charged with rape. Very Compelling.
But, if I had a Heisman Trophy vote, I'd vote for AJ McCarron. I know the stats are for the current year, but the kid is a great football player
and quarterback with 2 championships, 3 losses, and only 13
interceptions. For his career. He handles himself well in all situations that I've seen. He knows he is a leader and a role model and does not take that role lightly. He is a fantastic football player and if this story doesn't prove his character and integrity, I don't know what does!
So who deserves the most prestigious award in college football? Who would have your vote for the Heisman Trophy?
So who deserves the most prestigious award in college football? Who would have your vote for the Heisman Trophy?
This is such a good point you make. The Heisman website may state that it is a player with great character on and off the field, but that is certainly not a reflection of the men they've chosen. I mean, Johnny Manziel, what a joke. Yes, incredible football player, terrible role model. Same with Jameis. I think they should reword to just say ON THE FIELD. Because that is what they'll choose 99% of the time.
ReplyDeleteI COMPLETELY agree that McCarron deserves the Heisman - not because he is a loud, flashy player. He is consistent, constant, community-minded and has an INCREDIBLE collegiate career under his belt.
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a mockery of such a prestigious award, based on your post no question where my vote would go
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