Uncovering Heisman

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John Heisman is one of the more famous early football coaches, especially since he has the college game's most prestigious end-of-the-year award in his honor. Heisman is known for many events and innovations in football history, one of them being the winning coach in the most lopsided contest in history. It perhaps opened the national media to the gridiron of the South.

Our guest, Sam Hatcher, gives us a whole new perspective on the 222-0 Georgia Tech win over Cumberland back in October 1916 (If the purchase is made through the Affiliate link to follow, it will help pay expenses for this website.) in his book Heisman's First Trophy: The Game that Launched Football in the South.

John Heisman, born in 1869, was a multifaceted figure in the world of sports, not just confined to the realm of American football. He wore many hats: player, coach, writer, and even an actor.

Heisman's playing career spanned football, baseball, and basketball, with his coaching career focusing primarily on football. He coached at numerous universities across the country, including Georgia Tech, where he led them to their first national championship in 1917. He is credited with innovating several aspects of the game, including legalizing the forward pass and implementing the center snap and hike system.

However, his most enduring legacy is undoubtedly tied to the iconic Heisman Trophy. Awarded annually to the most outstanding college football player, the trophy stands as a symbol of excellence and achievement in the sport. While not directly involved in its creation, Heisman's name became synonymous with the award, solidifying his place in football history.

In 1916, the baseball game between the Cumberland College Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Engineers was an event etched in infamy. Seeking revenge for a lopsided 22-0 loss earlier that year by Georgia Tech's baseball team, Coach John Heisman of Georgia Tech would not forget preparing his team for a football game against Cumberland the proceeding fall.

However, Cumberland, which had disbanded its football program the previous year, was forced to field a hastily assembled team, many of whom were ill-prepared for competitive play. The game became a one-sided affair, with Georgia Tech dominating from the start. The final score, a staggering 222-0 in favor of Georgia Tech, remains the most lopsided score in college football history.