10 Memorable Heisman Trophy Stories in College Football History
College football has no shortage of legendary moments, but few carry the weight of a Heisman Trophy announcement. The award is handed out every December since 1935, and recognizes running backs who made defenders look foolish, quarterbacks who rewrote record books overnight, and players who didn’t even fit a traditional position. Over several decades, a handful of these Heisman moments stopped the country cold and made people talk for years.
The First Winner
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Jay Berwanger won the first Heisman Trophy in 1935, back when it was still called the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the 1936 NFL Draft, then traded his rights to the Chicago Bears. The team couldn’t meet his salary demands, and he walked away before he could play professionally. He eventually built a career manufacturing plastic car parts, not exactly the ending anyone would have predicted.
Archie Griffin Did It Twice
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No player at any position has won the Heisman Trophy twice except Archie Griffin. The Ohio State running back took home the award in both 1974 and 1975, rushed for 5,589 career yards, and holds the record for 100-plus rushing yards in 31 consecutive regular-season games. The two-time record has stood up to every superstar the sport has produced since. At this point, it may well be permanent.
Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary
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On November 23, 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie threw a 48-yard Hail Mary touchdown against Miami in the last second to win 47-45. The game was nationally televised and replayed endlessly. Voters had already mailed in their Heisman votes before that final play, so the pass didn’t technically secure the votes. It did, however, cement his legacy, and the next week, the 5’9″ quarterback was named the winner.
Barry Sanders’ Win
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Barry Sanders played only one season at Oklahoma State as a starter before entering the NFL Draft. He rushed for 2,628 yards, scored 39 touchdowns in the regular season, and won the Heisman as a junior. He then capped the year by rushing for 222 yards and five touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl. In his 10 years in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, he won the MVP award once and made a significant impact on the league.
Charles Woodson Won It Playing Both Ways
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The 1997 Heisman race between Michigan’s Charles Woodson and Tennessee’s Peyton Manning became one of the most debated votes in the award’s history. Charles eventually won and became the first primarily defensive player to take home the trophy. He played cornerback, returned punts, and contributed on offense as a wide receiver. Peyton had better offensive numbers, but Charles later won Super Bowl XLV.
Johnny Manziel Rewrote What a Freshman Could Do
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Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, officially classified as a redshirt freshman. He threw for 3,706 yards and added 1,410 rushing yards, consistently making plays that overwhelmed SEC defenses. That season, “Johnny Football” became a national sensation.
Tim Tebow’s Heisman Win and His Acceptance Speech
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In 2007, no Heisman winner had ever been a sophomore. Florida’s Tim Tebow changed that by finishing the season with 55 total touchdowns and six interceptions. His acceptance speech centered on faith and family rather than statistics, and the room went silent. A national championship followed the next season. Where fans stand on Tim’s overall play differs, but the 2007 performance was undisputed.
Reggie Bush’s Trophy Disappeared for 14 Years
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Reggie Bush won the 2005 Heisman while playing for USC, and made plays that made highlight reels, which people still watch today. Then, in 2010, he forfeited it. The NCAA found that Reggie and his family had received improper benefits, and the trophy went back to the Heisman Trust. For 14 years, there was no official winner for 2005. The Trust restored Reggie’s Heisman in April 2024 after changes in the college football landscape.
Lamar Jackson Won It at 19 and Torched the NFL
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At 19 years and 337 days old, Lamar Jackson became the youngest Heisman winner ever in 2016. Louisville was not a program that typically produced trophy contenders, and Lamar was just a sophomore. Still, he produced impressive stats during his 2016 sophomore season at Louisville. The Baltimore Ravens selected him 32nd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has since won the NFL MVP award twice, in 2019 and 2023.
Travis Hunter Won It Playing Both Ways in 2024
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Colorado’s Travis Hunter pulled off something the sport had not seen at the Heisman level before. In 2024, he won the trophy as a two-way player, lining up at wide receiver and cornerback in the same games against Power Four competition. Travis edged Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty by 214 points in one of the closest Heisman votes in recent memory and became the second primarily defensive player to win the award.