The Heisman in TIME
	A look back at the winners of college football's biggest trophy
	By SEAN GREGORY

November 14, 2005
It's the Oscar of the college sports world, a little bronze running back often seen cradled by the beaming football player, stiff-arming the other hopefuls summoned to New York City on a cold winter evening. The winner of the 71st annual Heisman Trophy, awarded to the "most outstanding college football player in the United States," will be announced on December 10, concluding another six months of passing, punditry, and politicking. But we don't just revere the Heisman Trophy for the debates, for the instant gravitas bestowed upon the winner. Its persistent jinx also intrigues us. Though the Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in sports, its winners often graduate to the least illustrious careers in professional football.

What lies downfield for USC quarterback Matt Leinart, last year's winner, who could become the second back-to-back champ in Heisman history (the first, Ohio State's Archie Griffin, was a colossal bust with the Cincinnati Bengals)? Will he join Navy's Roger Staubach, the 1963 winner who TIME described as "looking like King Hal at Agincourt," as just the third of the 24 Heisman quarterbacks to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame (the other, Notre Dame's Paul Hornung, switched to running back in the NFL)? Or will Leinart follow in the four-steps of Andre Ware ('89), Gino Torretta ('92) and Jason White ('02), who combined to throw for as many career NFL yards as Peyton Manning (runner up, '97, to Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson) does in three good games?

Florida's State's Charlie Ward ('94) ditched the NFL for the NBA. The first Heisman winner —University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger ('35)—spurned the league to sell foam-rubber. Berwanger's aunt Gussie used his trophy as a doorstop, giving it a better fate than that of Ohio State's Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, the 1955 champ. Twenty years ago, a thief stole Cassady's Heisman and then dumped it in a garbage bin, where a trash collector recovered the sinewy statuette.

If history is a guide, USC running back Reggie Bush, the other Heisman hopeful from the undefeated Trojans, should flourish in the NFL. USC alum Marcus Allen ('81) won a Super Bowl MVP with the Los Angeles Raiders. Fellow Trojan O.J. Simpson ('68) set the NFL's single-season rushing record. Then he appeared on the cover of Time. In 1994.

But the Heisman's popularity would fade if every Bush ran like O.J. in the pros, if the third leading 2005 Heisman candidate, Texas quarterback Vince Young, was surely the next Michael Vick (third place in 1999, behind the immortal Ron Dayne and Joe Hamilton). For the Heisman Trophy, though an individual award, really celebrates the teamwork that spawns college football's charm. Only a fierce offensive line, sharp coaches, and a Hail Mary could propel a Doug Flutie (Boston Collge, '84) to "most outstanding" status. Flutie is not the guy causing middle-aged NFL scouts to drool in the film room. He's the one causing middle-aged alums to act like kids in their living rooms. And that's more than illustrious enough.

NEXT: The Little Trophy Comes to Life