Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy
"Journalist Mark Schlabach and John M. Heisman, great nephew of John W. Heisman, draw on numerous media accounts as the basis for Heisman’s story. The result is a nostalgic look at a bygone era and the evolution of football through the life of one of its early innovators." (Publisher's Weekly)“I didn’t get the chance to know Coach Heisman, but having an opportunity to win the award has allowed me to learn about him. Probably the first thing you learn about is his integrity and the way he conducted his life. I have been impressed with the men who have won this award and hope that I live up to the name Heisman as they do. It has been an honor to be a part of an award that stands for integrity and excellence!” (—Ty Detmer, Brigham Young University Heisman winner, 1990)“My greatest honor has been to win the single greatest award in all of amateur sports—the Heisman Trophy. This trophy is named for one of the best college football coaches ever to pace the sidelines, John W. Heisman. As I am one of the few Heisman winners to become a coach, I consider it a huge privilege to represent the coaching profession and the Heisman Trophy.” (—Coach Steve Spurrier, University of Florida Heisman winner, 1966)“I am honored to be the recipient of the 1969 Heisman Trophy, which is named after a true coaching legend. John Heisman was dedicated to the game of football and the athletes who played it with passion and integrity. He was a man of excellence, principles, and sportsmanship. This book is a tribute to his enduring legacy.” (—Steve Owens, University of Oklahoma Heisman winner, 1969)“In this book we finally find out the history of John Heisman and why the most prestigious trophy in America is named in his honor.” (—Archie Griffin, Ohio State University Heisman winner, 1974 and 1975)“Winning the Heisman Trophy was one of the most memorable events of my life. And to this day the December announcement of the winner captures the attention of the entire nation. Since 1935 the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the country. Most people easily identify with the name Heisman because of the award but don’t know much about the history of the man it was named after. This book tells the story of the incredible life and accomplishments of the man and the coach John W. Heisman.” (—John Cappelletti, Pennsylvani a State University Heisman winner, 1973)“When I won the Heisman Trophy in 1959, I didn’t know anything about John Heisman or the Heisman Trophy. I knew Heisman was involved with the Downtown Athletic Club of New York at one point in his career and had been an accomplished and successful college football coach. If it’s not the most important trophy in sports, it has become the most recognized trophy over time. When you’re playing football, you’re playing for the moment. To be recognized as the most outstanding player of an era was a wonderful experience. Looking back fifty years later, it was a wonderful experience to be recognized for your efforts and your team’s efforts. I can’t wait to learn more about John Heisman.” (—Billy Cannon, Louisiana State University Heisman winner, 1959)“To be a member of the most prestigious fraternity in sports is a supreme honor. As a new name is added to the trophy each year, winning the Heisman becomes more important to each past winner. All of us are grateful to John W. Heisman; this book outlines the remarkable history of the man and the trophy that carries his name.” (—Joe Bellino, United States Naval Academy Heisman winner, 1960)“I was born in the same year as the first award of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Within that year, our first athletic director, John W. Heisman, passed away. In my position as athletic director at the Downtown Athletic Club, we annually met with and honored our nation’s best college football players. In 1971, I was fortunate to meet Coach Heisman’s family, William L. Heisman and his son, John, and became keenly aware of the great man’s reputation and some of his influential history. I am glad that Coach Heisman’s life story is now being told and I’m glad for the Heisman family that tells it.” (—Rudy Risk a, Executive Director Emeritus of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and coauthor of 40 Years at the Home of the Heisman)“Leon never put a monetary value on the Heisman Trophy. He never felt comfortable trying to capitalize on receiving it. To him, that trophy represented the hard work of his teammates and his coaches. He felt there were a dozen guys on his 1949 team who were befitting of the honor. To him, the trophy stood for character,perseverance, and integrity, and it marked him for the rest of his life. He felt an obligation and a reverence to the tradition of the Heisman. To never disgrace what it stood for. To bring honor to those who came before him and to those who would come after him. He lived his life with that heavy responsibility and he instilled those values in his children and grandchildren.” (—Kevin Hart, on behalf of Leon Hart, University of Notre Dame Heisman winner, 1949)“Like many young boys, I dreamed of winning a Heisman Trophy. But I never once considered the impact it could have on one’s life. Now I can almost imagine one of us winning something like the Nobel Peace Prize and still getting introduced as a former Heisman Trophy winner. It’s an honor and a title that sticks, and it opens many doors in life. I pray I am a good steward of the platform I’ve received from winning this prestigious award. I can’t wait to learn more about John Heisman, the man behind the trophy.” (—Danny Wuerffel, University of Florida Heisman winner, 1996)“The Heisman is arguably the most iconic trophy in all of sports, and certainly one of my life’s proudest achievements. As recognizable as the statue is, many do not know the storied history of the man it was named after, Coach John Heisman. This book explores the life of a legend.” (—Desmond Howard, University of Michigan Heisman winner, 1991)“The Heisman Trophy and its winners are forever a part of the history and lure of college football. This book provides readers with an excellent examination of the life of John Heisman, the trophy’s namesake. After readingHeisman: The Man Behind the Trophy,you will know a lot more about the history of college football and learn why the Heisman Memorial Trophy is simply the greatest honor in all of American sports.” (—Gino Torretta, University of Miami Heisman winner, 1992)“Winning the Heisman Trophy made me appreciate the importance of coaching and teamwork. You don’t win Heismans by yourself and you don’t win national championships by yourself; it’s always in conjunction with others that you make your greatest accomplishments and teamwork makes your dreams work! John W. Heisman taught us that success in athletics is more about finding a world-class coach and studying him like a scientist. It’s not about being brilliant or bright, it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people. It worked for me.” (—Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, University of Nebr ask a Heisman winner, 1972)