Football Daily

---

Born August 21, 1954, in Columbus, Ohio, was the two time Heisman Trophy Winner from Ohio State University, Archie Griffin. Griffin is considered one of the greatest college football players of all time. Griffin won four Big Ten Conference titles with the Buckeyes and was the first player ever to start in four Rose Bowls. Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft. Played seven seasons in the NFL, rushing for over 4,100 yards and scoring 32 touchdowns. He also played professionally for the Jacksonville Bulls of the United States Football League (USFL).He is forever enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame since 2000.

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

Sports Illustrated article titled -The Legendary Joe Bellino: Terrific Athlete, Better Person - Naval Academy Athletics