Football History

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In 1935 the Downtown Athletic Club of Manhattan, New York decided to give an award, at the time referred to as the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, to the top collegiate football player in the nation. Jay Berwanger the outstanding halfback from the University of Chicago Maroons was the first recipient of what would become known as the Heisman Trophy. Here is the story of Berwanger's 1935 amazing season as told by a post on Madison.com.

Jay was nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman," and was a two-time All- America halfback for Chicago according to the NFF. In just 24 college games he scored 22 touchdowns, averaged 4.2 yards per rushing attempt and held a 25.7 yard average on kick returns.

The Heisman Trophy is synonymous with college football excellence. But the story behind the very first award, presented in 1935, is just as intriguing as the countless legendary winners that followed.

A Star is Born: Jay Berwanger, a halfback for the University of Chicago's "Maroons," dominated college football in the 1930s. His versatility as a passer, runner, punter, and even play-caller earned him All-America honors twice. He was a one-man wrecking crew, captivating audiences with his on-field brilliance.

The Downtowner Makes its Debut: In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club (DAC) of New York City decided to honor the nation's most outstanding college football player. Their newly established award, initially called the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, aimed to recognize exceptional talent east of the Mississippi River (a regional distinction at the time).

Berwanger Takes Home the Trophy: Jay Berwanger's electrifying performance throughout his college career made him the clear choice for the inaugural award. He received the trophy at a banquet in New York City, etching his name into the history books as the first-ever Heisman Trophy recipient.

A Legacy Ignited: The presentation of the first Heisman Trophy wasn't just about recognizing Berwanger's talent. It signified the growing national interest in college football and the potential for individual players to become stars. The award helped propel the sport further into the spotlight, paving the way for future generations of Heisman winners to inspire fans and become household names.

Beyond the First Award: While the Heisman Trophy underwent a name change a few years later to honor college football legend John Heisman, Berwanger's story remains an essential part of the award's history. The 1935 ceremony marked the beginning of a prestigious tradition that continues to celebrate the very best in college football.

Oklahoma's football story reads like an epic ballad, each chapter punctuated by the thrilling exploits of its gunslingers. From Bob Warmack's swagger to Baker Mayfield's swagger, passing greats have painted the crimson sky with touchdown rainbows.

Early heroes like Jack Mildren and Thomas Lott paved the way, carving their names in the records with aerial assaults. Then came the Barry Switzer era, where Jamelle Holieway and Danny Bradley launched bombs, rewriting offensive playbooks with their audacious throws.

The "Air Raid" revolution arrived with Steve Sarkisian, unleashing Josh Heupel and Jason White to Heisman glory. White's precision and Heupel's dual-threat magic mesmerized, culminating in a national championship.

Then came the dynasty whisperer, Lincoln Riley. Sam Bradford's laser passes and Landry Jones' record-breaking throws kept Oklahoma in the national spotlight. But it was Baker Mayfield who became the gunslinger king, his swagger and clutch throws leading the Sooners back to the promised land.

Kyler Murray's electrifying dual-threat prowess and Jalen Hurts' grit added new chapters, proving that Oklahoma's quarterback lineage wasn't bound by style. And who can forget Spencer Rattler's early Heisman buzz, setting the stage for the next act in this ever-evolving aerial epic?

Each quarterback left his mark, a unique brushstroke on the Sooners' canvas. Warmack's gunslinger grit, Holieway's bombastic showmanship, White's surgical accuracy, Mayfield's fiery leadership, Murray's lightning speed, Hurts' unwavering toughness – all woven into the Oklahoma fabric.

There is so much more to explore, so check out our other stories of Oklahoma Sooners football history.

Born August 2, 1937, was LSU former star halfback and 1959 Heisman winner, Billy Cannon was also born on this day. He attended Louisiana State University, where he played college football as a halfback, return specialist, and defensive back for the LSU Tigers. Mr. Cannon was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

A Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, Cannon's college career was highlighted by his electrifying 89-yard punt return touchdown against Ole Miss, a play that has become one of the most iconic moments in college football history.

His professional career was equally impressive. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Rams, Cannon spent most of his time in the AFL, where he was a dynamic playmaker for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders. With his speed, power, and versatility, he was a nightmare for defenses. Though injuries curtailed his career, Cannon's impact on the game remains undeniable, securing his place as one of the greatest all-around athletes of his era.

His punt return on October 31, 1959 haunted the number 3 ranked Ole Miss Rebels and is considered by many to be one of the greatest play in LSU football history. At LSU, Cannon was twice named a unanimous All-American, helped the 1958 LSU team win a national championship, and received the Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding college player in 1959.

Billy Cannon also had a nice AFL and NFL career the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and KC Chiefs. He was also drafted by the LA Rams but the AFL Oiler's owner Bud Adams won a court ruling and outbid the NFL's Rams for his rights.

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In the annals of college football history, Larry Kelley stands as a unique figure. As the first player primarily recognized for his pass-catching prowess to win the Heisman Trophy in 1936, he broke new ground and cemented his place as a Yale legend. This essay explores Kelley's remarkable career, his Heisman-winning season, and his lasting impact on the game.

Kelley arrived at Yale in 1933, a multi-sport athlete excelling in baseball, basketball, and football. He quickly established himself as a two-way threat on the gridiron, playing both offense and defense with relentless intensity. His exceptional athleticism and intelligence were evident on the field. While Kelley wasn't the biggest player, his leaping ability and precise route-running made him a nightmare for opposing defensive backs.

Kelley's defining year came in 1936. Prior to this, Heisman winners were primarily running backs. Kelley, however, revolutionized the award by showcasing the dominance of a skilled receiver. He led Yale to a 7-1 record, catching 17 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns. One play, however, solidified his legacy. In a crucial game against Navy, with Yale trailing, Kelley, in a seemingly impossible feat, kicked a fumbled punt 40 yards downfield and recovered it himself, setting up the winning score. This improvisation and clutch performance epitomized his on-field brilliance.

Kelley's Heisman win was a watershed moment. It highlighted the increasing importance of the passing game in football and paved the way for future generations of star receivers. However, his impact transcended statistics. He was a charismatic leader, known for his wit and intellectual pursuits. This combination of athletic prowess and academic achievement made him a true embodiment of the "student-athlete" ideal.

While Kelley declined lucrative offers to play professional football, basketball, and baseball, his love for competition remained. He served in World War II and later became a high school teacher and coach, inspiring young athletes with his knowledge and passion for the game.

Larry Kelley's legacy extends beyond his Heisman Trophy. He was a pioneer for pass-catching excellence, a role model for student-athletes, and a testament to Yale's rich football tradition. His story reminds us that greatness can come in many forms, and that sometimes, the most innovative players rewrite the rules of the game.

The 1936 Heisman-winning player from Yale and his bio on the Heisman's official website

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Time to have our friend Tim Brown join us today for some football archaeology on one of the great Heisman winners of the 1930s and his special season and special stature coming up in just a moment. Hello, my football friends.

-Transcription of Davey Obrien and Standing Tall with Timothy Brown

This is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history.

And as we try to do every Tuesday, we like to go on a little archaeological expedition. We go to the man on the website Football Archaeology, Timothy Brown. Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.

Hey there. Thank you. Appreciate you having me again.
Looking forward to digging into a few things tonight. Digging is right. We were, you know, interested.

We were talking about this before we came on about one of your tidbits. You know, some of these, they're all stimulating, but some really catch my eye, and I'd love to hear a little bit more about them. This one came from later in October, and it's called Standing Call for the Heisman on October 23rd on FootballArchaeology.com. I was hoping maybe you could say a few words about that subject matter.

Yeah, you know, happy to. So, the Standing Call is, you know, basically about a guy named Davy O'Brien, who was a Heisman Trophy winner in 1938. But he was 5'7".
And, you know, so we all know, we all went to high school or grade school or whatever with some guy who was too short, but he was a heck of an athlete. And, you know, just the guy was a stud. But eventually, he kind of met his limits athletically, you know, in terms of competing against, you know, bigger players.

Even in high school, a lot of guys that size can get away with things. And here and there, we've got an NBA or an NFL player who does it. But back then, it was a little bit more common, you know.

And so, Davy O'Brien was, you know, like I said, 5'7", grew up in Dallas. And he succeeded Sammy Baugh as the quarterback or the center of the Dutch Meyers TPU spread office. So, you know, I mean, we like to think the spread is this brand new, shiny thing that all these smart, you know, modern people created.
But back in the 30s, in the late 30s, Dutch Meyers was running an offense that had two basic formations. One was had a single back, the double wing and two double split ends. You know, so just think about that.

A single back, double wings, and two split ends, right? So that looks like a lot of people's spreads nowadays. He also ran, he didn't call it this, but he ran an empty formation with trips on one side, you know, and split on the other. So, and he ran the ball, it's a lot.

So, I mean, run it especially out of the one-back formation. So, I mean, it's just the idea that these guys, TCU, were doing things well before anybody else in terms of just bringing modern spread horizontal concepts to football. So, you get this guy, Davey O'Brien, who takes over for Sammy Ball, who's got it, and, you know, it's back in single platoon football.

So, O'Brien played both ways. He wasn't just this little, you know, a dinky quarterback that, you know, just ran out and was protected against being tackled hard and stuff like that. You know, he was a player, he's a blocking back, he punted, you know, he was their primary punter.
And so, I'm going to say this next thing with a little bit of caution. As a senior, he set the passing yardage in a season record, NCAA record. He also set the combined rushing and passing by an individual in a season.

Now, that was a 1938 season, and the NCAA only started tracking statistics in 1937. So, you know, it wasn't, yeah, okay, you know, but nevertheless, I mean, the point really is that what he was doing so far ahead of almost anybody else, right? And so, and just one little side note to the statistics thing. The statistics weren't, you know, it was like the NCAA did this.

It was a separate guy named Herman Homer who created this entity called the American Football Statistical Bureau, and then in 22 years, they sold it to the NCAA. And so, all of the football records of the NCAA were actually, for the first 22 years, compiled by a separate company. You know, so his company started in 37.
And so, if you look at any NCAA record, they start in 1937, you know, from this guy's records. Anyways, Davey O'Brien was a stud. So, he finishes his senior year, winning a national championship.

He's the Maxwell and Heisman Trophy winner. He then gets drafted by the NFL; the Giants take him number four in the 39 draft. He leads the NFL in passing yardage as a rookie, though they only won one game, and comes back as a second-year player.

Again, has a great season. They only win one game. And then he says, I'm done.

And he quits pro football and becomes an FBI agent. And he does that for about 10 years and goes into various business adventures, you know. So, it's just kind of an interesting thing.

You know, there are very few NFL players who leave today to become FBI agents, right? Especially when you just led the league in passing. But, you know, different times, different places. Different pay scales.
Yeah, different pay scale, you know. Well, here's another thing about it. To that point, he was the fourth Heisman Trophy winner, but he was the first one to sign with the NFL.

The first three didn't even bother. Oh, that's right. Yeah.
You know, they were coming from the University of Chicago and two guys from Yale, and they were like, hey, I don't need this NFL thing. I've got better, you know, business opportunities. And so, you know, none of the first, you know, neither none, whatever of the first three played in the NFL.

Yeah, you really have to go back and really admire people that play professional football, especially those first, like, five or six decades, because they really did it for the love of the game and the love of the competition. They weren't getting rich by doing it. Most, you know, I think almost all of them had to have a regular job in the offseason and things like that.
And it's just an amazing thing to think about where today, you know, that's their whole life. And, you know, they're, they're set for life after playing a couple of years. And yeah, I would say, you know, they made significant money compared to the average worker, right? And for some of them, it was just like today.

I mean, I get into arguments. I got into a recent argument or spat with some CFL fans about the talent levels between the NFL and CFL. And, you know, the CFL has tremendous players. I mean, they're gifted athletes, but they're, in my mind, just not anywhere near NFL caliber.
I mean, yeah, some of them are bottom-end NFL players, and that's fine. But, the point is that even in the CFL, they can make more money playing as a 24, 25-year-old young man in the CFL compared to getting out of school and whatever, becoming an underwriter or, you know, whatever it is you do when you leave school, right? Now, if they were chemical engineering majors or something, yeah, they can make more money doing that. But, you know, not many of those are playing football.

Yeah. Yeah. I think that that's a pretty good parallel.
You know, I didn't think that maybe not even the CFL, but maybe some of these, these other leagues that are coming up, you know, like the XFL and the spring league and now, now the USFL, some of those, you know, those guys aren't making much at all compared to their peers in the bigger leagues, you know, like the NFL and the CFL, but they're doing enough to make a living and get by. And you know, hopeful their hope is to advance into the NFL. And I'm sure that's probably the goal.
And I think that's it. It's the hope it's keeping the hope alive. Right.

And then there are kids who are probably more like D3 sort of kids, but you know, there are a decent number of American kids now heading over to Europe and playing. And, but it's more of a cultural experience, and they're not making big money. I mean, literally, they're making, I know one kid who played in the NF or in Europe last year, making like 800, a thousand bucks a game, but he got into an NFL camp this year, you know, and got cut, but you know, he made a camp.

And so, you know but, but I think for guys like that, it's more like, yeah, you got a chance to play in Austria or live in Finland for six months or something, you know, it's, it's a life experience rather than money, money grab, you know? Yeah. Yeah. It's definitely an interesting lifestyle.
And when you can do the thing you love and travel, Hey, why, why not do it when you're a young person? Any day, any day. Right. Good for them.

Good for them. I mean, I don't care what level you're playing, playing, if you're still taking a shot at it, have at it, you know? Absolutely. Yeah.

So good for you. Yeah. Love to hear that.

All right. Well, Tim, why don't we take this opportunity right now to, you know, just like this was a tidbit on Davey O'Brien, you have some very interesting things coming out each and every day, sometimes multiples in a day. And why don't you share with folks how they can get on your list to get this information? Yeah.

So, you know, my site is footballarchaeology.com. You can go on there and subscribe. And what that means is you'll get an email at seven o'clock every day. And then, some other days, you'll get more than one, but basically, you'll get at least a daily email that provides some information.

And if, if not there, then you can I mean, you can always visit the site just, you know, randomly, but you can also follow me on Twitter at football archaeology. And so whichever, however you consume information, however you prefer to view it, have at it. I'm more than happy to have people check it out.

All right. Well, Tim Brown, football archaeology. Thank you once again for joining us this week and talking about some more great football history and some of these great things from the past that may be overlooked, but we're glad that you're researching them and bringing them to our attention.

And we'd love to talk to you again next week. Very good. Look forward to it, sir.


Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

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The Heisman Trophy recognizes the most outstanding college football player, while the NFL Draft's top overall pick signifies a team's belief in a player's future dominance. So, expectations soar when a Heisman winner becomes the number one pick. But does this translate to NFL greatness? Here's a breakdown of these players' careers:

-Mixed Bag: The results are far from guaranteed success. Some Heisman winners who were top picks, like Cam Newton and Roger Staubach, excelled in the NFL, becoming league MVPs and Super Bowl champions. Unfortunately, others like Tim Couch and Ryan Leaf became cautionary tales, failing to live up to the hype and experiencing short, underwhelming careers.
-Heisman winners who were the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft (Heisman year, player, school, NFL team)
-1935 – Jay Berwanger – Chicago – Philadelphia Eagles - Never played
-1940 – Tom Harmon – Michigan – Chicago Bears
-1942 – Frank Sinkwich – Georgia – Detroit Lions
-1943 – Angelo Bertelli – Notre Dame – Boston Yanks
-1949 – Leon Hart – Notre Dame – Detroit Lions (3X NFL Champ, Pro Bowl, All-Pro)
-1956 – Paul Hornung – Notre Dame – Green Bay Packers - Pro HOF
-1959 – Billy Cannon – LSU – Los Angeles Rams-never signed (3X AFL Champ, 2X Pro Bowl, 2XAll-Pro)
-1961 – Ernie Davis – Syracuse – Washington Redskins
-1962 – Terry Baker – Oregon State – Los Angeles Rams
-1969 – O.J. Simpson – USC – Buffalo Bills - Pro HOF
-1970 – Jim Plunkett – Stanford – New England Patriots
-1977 – Earl Campbell – Texas – Houston Oilers - PRo HOF
-1978 – Billy Sims – Oklahoma – Detroit Lions
-1980 – George Rogers – South Carolina – New Orleans Saints
-1985 – Bo Jackson – Auburn – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-1986 – Vinnie Testaverde – Miami – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-2002 – Carson Palmer – USC – Cincinnati Bengals
-2008 – Sam Bradford – Oklahoma – St. Louis Rams
-2010 – Cam Newton – Auburn – Carolina Panthers
-2013 – Jameis Winston – Florida State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-2017 – Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma – Cleveland Browns
-2019 - Kyler Murray - Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals
-2020 - Joe Burrow - LSU - Cincinnati Bengals
-2023 - Bryce Young - Alabama - Carolina Panthers

-Challenges of Adaptation:

The leap from college to the NFL is significant. Stronger competition, complex defenses, and the demands of the professional game can expose weaknesses that are not evident at the collegiate level. Injuries can also derail promising careers.

-Quarterback Emphasis: Notably, quarterbacks dominate this category. The pressure on these top picks is immense, as they're expected to be franchise cornerstones. Running backs and defensive players, drafted first overall less frequently, have yet to see the same boom-or-bust pattern.

Heisman Winners in the 2024 BFL Draft

-CALEB WILLIAMS, 2022 USC QB

-JAYDEN DANIELS 2023 LSU QB

-Shifting Trends: While some Heisman winners at the top of the draft have struggled, recent years have shown promise. Players like Joe Burrow and Kyler Murray have displayed early success, suggesting a potential shift in the narrative.
Overall, Winning the Heisman and being drafted number one doesn't guarantee NFL stardom. It's a complex equation in which talent, adaptation, and a bit of luck play crucial roles. Some players thrive under pressure, while others struggle to translate their college dominance to the professional level.

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The 2016 AFC Divisional playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans was a truly exceptional event, far from being just another playoff battle. It was a rare confluence of talent, a game where five Heisman Trophy winners graced the field. This essay delves into this historic matchup, exploring the players involved and the profound significance of such a unique event.

Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology discusses the 2016 NFL contest that saw four former winners of the Heisman Trophy playing in the same game.

The Baltimore Ravens boasted a potent trio. Lamar Jackson, the reigning Heisman winner (2016), was a dynamic young quarterback waiting for his chance. Mark Ingram (2009) was a seasoned running back with a Heisman pedigree and a knack for finding the end zone. Robert Griffin III (2012), another former Heisman winner, served as a veteran backup. Across the field, the Tennessee Titans countered with their own Heisman firepower. Derrick Henry (2015), a bruising running back with exceptional power, threatened to break tackles on every carry. Marcus Mariota (2016), the newly minted Heisman winner facing his first playoff test, aimed to orchestrate the Titans' offense.

This competition shattered the record for the most Heisman winners in a single NFL game. Previously, a 1998 matchup between the Raiders and Bills featured four Heisman winners – Tim Brown, Desmond Howard, and Charles Woodson on the Raiders' side, and Doug Flutie for the Bills. However, the 2016 Ravens-Titans game upped the ante, showcasing the evolving landscape of college football and the increasing emphasis on dual-threat quarterbacks.

While the individual accolades added a layer of intrigue, the true significance of the 2016 AFC Divisional playoff game lay in the clash of styles. The Ravens, led by the dynamic Lamar Jackson, represented the future of the NFL – a mobile quarterback unafraid to use his legs. The Titans, with Derrick Henry's punishing ground game, embodied a more traditional approach. This clash of styles turned the game into a defensive battle, ultimately won by the Ravens 22-21. Even though not all the Heisman winners took center stage statistically, their presence highlighted the culmination of years of college football excellence on the biggest stage.

The 2016 Ravens-Titans game was not just a simple playoff matchup. It etched a unique line in NFL history, showcasing an unprecedented number of Heisman winners on the field. It was a testament to the talent pipeline of college football and the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, where athleticism and versatility were becoming increasingly important. This game serves as a snapshot, where college football glory converged on the professional stage, captivating fans and leaving a lasting mark on the NFL record books, a mark that will be remembered for years to come.

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