The Heisman Trophy: Character or Capability? | Teen Ink

The Heisman Trophy: Character or Capability? MAG

December 16, 2013
By clemsonfan2019 BRONZE, Merritt Island, Florida
clemsonfan2019 BRONZE, Merritt Island, Florida
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

The Heisman Trophy is the epitome of all sports accolades. Every football fan dreams of hoisting this 25-pound bronze trophy overhead at the end of a record-setting season. The Trophy is awarded each year to an outstanding player in college football who combines excellence with integrity both on and off the field. However, in recent years, Heisman voters seem to have forgotten the “good character off the field” aspect. Giving this honor to a player who lacks real character puts a stain not only on the Heisman Trophy, but on college football as a whole.

College football has seen many outstanding athletes win the Heisman Trophy. However, in 2010, Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton hoisted the trophy above his head as he led the Tigers to a national championship. While few would question his athletic qualifications, many wondered about his character. That season had been filled with controversy over a “pay for play” scandal which alleged that Newton’s father solicited a significant amount of money from Mississippi State University in return for his son transferring to the school – a direct violation of NCAA rules. The NCAA investigation was still ongoing during the Heisman voting, and, despite being the center of a nationwide controversy over whether he should have been playing for half the season, Newton won the Trophy by a landslide.

Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston has been stunning on the field recently. Unfortunately, the nation has also been stunned by off-the-field allegations about his behavior. Halfway through the 2013-14 season, the media discovered that Winston had previously been charged with sexual assault, a charge that was put on hold due to Tallahassee investigators convincing the victim that her life “would be made miserable” because Tallahassee is “a big football town.” Evidence was hard to come by due to an apparent cover-up by the Tallahassee Police Department, making the chance of conviction slim, and Winston won the Trophy by a landslide (despite 13 percent of the voters leaving him off the ballot entirely). Honoring him with an award of this level drags down the prestige of the Heisman Trophy, but it seems that the past year has given the Heisman voters more to think about: Winston was conspicuously left off the nominee list this year, despite another stellar football season.

The Heisman Trophy must continue to reward both athletic excellence and outstanding character, and not simply be given to the best college player in the country. Public perception of the players affects the league as a whole. The Heisman voters need to remember that this trophy is about character, not just capability.


The author's comments:

I have been a sports fan since I was a little kid, particularly when it comes to college football. When I talked to friends about the Jameis Winston controversy, it became apparent to me that a significant portion of people my age did not even realize this was an issue, nor could they possibly realize the impact of this issue. It is my hope that when teens read this, they will do their own separate research on the issue and form their own opinion (or read with an open mind if they are already well informed).


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This article has 4 comments.


Rory314 said...
on Sep. 17 2015 at 11:05 am
Rory314, Traverse City, Michigan
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
Same thing with Johnny Manziel. Manti Teo should have won it because he didn't do stupid stuff and had better stats

KelceBoy said...
on Jul. 2 2015 at 12:45 pm
Great work.

on May. 22 2014 at 10:30 pm
clemsonfan2019 BRONZE, Merritt Island, Florida
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
Wanna reconsider that character now? So uh, my knowledge of Jameis is real slim, yeah? I think I sized up his character pretty well. Sorry, but the facts show that the Tallahassee PD did cover it up, which is why they are now under investigation and facing charges, and now we see Jameis continuing that great character you speak of by shoplifting. Also, if you read your comment, it really doesn't make sense. Consider proofreading next time.

on Jan. 8 2014 at 11:24 am
The heisman is awarded to the most outstandng player on the field in college football which winston is the tallahassee police department didnt cover up the situation there just wasnt enough evidence to continue on although you have a valid point about character being apart of the award winston has great character thus proving your knowledge of the sport, award, and winston is slim to none so go ahead and bash newton but if you want to say something about winston it shouldnt be questioning his character.