The Heisman: Stop Position Discrimination NOW!

The Heisman; one of sport’s biggest blunders. This year could end up the same as many other recent years. The potential recipients of the prestigious award always possess a multitude of traits, skills, and other qualities that can put them in position to win. Nevertheless the reasons for which the award is being given to the recipients has been twisted and misconstrued over time.
The Heisman is often considered the award for the “MOP” or the Most Outstanding Collegiate Football Player of the Year. In recent years however it has been awarded to the most prolific offensive backfield player of the year. There position specific awards that can be given to players in the back field as well as every other position in football, including some special teams positions. Some of the position specific awards and cumulative awards are, the Chuck Bednarik Award, awarded to the best defensive player in the nation, the Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in the nation, the Davie O’Brien, given to the top quarterback in the nation, the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back in the nation, the Fred Biletnikoff award, given to the nation’s top receiver, the Jim Thorpe award, given to the top defensive back in the nation, the John Mackey award, given to the nation’s best tight end, the Johnny Unitas Award, which is given to the nation’s top senior quarterback, the Lou Groza award, given to the nation’s best and most consistent kicker, the Maxwell award, given to the nation’s best player, the Outland trophy, given to the top interior offensive or defensive lineman, the Ray Guy award, given to the nation’s best punter, the Remington award, given to the nation’s best college lineman, the Ted Hendricks award, given to the best defensive end in the country, the Vince Lombardy/Rotary trophy, given to the nation’s best offensive or defensive lineman who displays both talent and character, the Walter Camp award, given to the best player in the country as chosen by the coaches of D1 football, and of course the Heisman trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s most outstanding player. It is safe to say that many of the positions stand very little to no chance of having a Heisman winner. These positions are offensive linemen, defensive interior lineman, tight ends, punters, fullbacks, and kickers. Left on the available positions list are quarterbacks, halfbacks, wide receivers, defensive ends, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.
This is only further confirmed by ESPN’s Heisman Watch. Currently the top Heisman vote-getters are quarterbacks, running backs, safeties, a wide receiver, a defensive end, and a linebacker. Quarterbacks currently occupy the top three spots of the Heisman voting. This however does not mean that Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy are the nation’s best players. In the last 9 years only quarterbacks and running backs have won the Heisman. This is simply because of the attention that the players get because they have the ability to put points on the scoreboard. However, defensive players can put up points, but sparingly. Defensive players are the unsung heroes of football. Although they don’t score as often as a running back, they stop scores, force turnovers, and get the ball back for the offense to score. The last and only player to win the Heisman and not start consistent downs on the offensive side of the ball was Charles Woodson. He was a contributor on the defensive side of the ball, as a cornerback, and as a punt returner. In order for Woodson to beat out Peyton Manning, a quarterback who held favoritism in the eyes of many offensive-minded voters, he would need to put up number which the college game had never seen before. Woodson had a very solid punt returning season in 1997, where he returned 36 punts for 301 yards and a score. The average yardage, 8.4 yards per punt return, is still extremely impressive as compared to today’s college athletes. He also had 9 pass breaks ups on the defensive side of the ball. His most exciting statistic was his ability to incept the ball though. He had an astonishing 8 interceptions his junior year. This was enough to earn himself 200+ more votes for the Heisman than runner-up Peyton Manning. There have only been two wide receivers to win the Heisman and both also had seasons that are rarely seen by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Two tight ends have also won the award, but no positions have won the award more frequently than the running back and quarterback positions.
This year’s predicted leaders for the award are Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Jahvid Best, and Eric Berry. Eric Berry is the only defensive player on the list, and judging by his less than stellar performance against the cupcake-esque Western Kentucky, he won’t be a candidate for the Heisman much longer. Sam Bradford started off where he left last season, shredding and dicing an unlucky non-BCS conference’s defense as the former Heisman winner should. His luck quickly came to a halt though, as he was “jacked up” by a BYU linebacker and had his shoulder injured. The future is not looking bright for Bradford’s chances as most Heisman winners play in all or all but one of their teams games, and Bradford’s injury is one where he is expected to miss two to four weeks. With Bradford and Berry looking down on their Heisman Watch statuses, three contestants remain. Each of the three remaining players on ESPN’s Heisman Watch after week one offer their own story to convince voters to drop a “first placer” on them. Tim Tebow was the only player to ever win the Heisman while listed as an underclassman (sophomore or younger). He also is the only player in college football history to run for 20 TD’s and throw for 20 TD’s in a single season. He won the Heisman in 2007 with 32 touchdowns passing and 23 touchdowns rushing. The number of points he, singlehandedly, put up on the scoreboard that year was more than many teams did. Tim Tebow is a media-magnet and he has always been regarded as a top prospect and choice for the Heisman. Colt McCoy, a young Texas University gunslinger finished second last year in Heisman voting. He is known for his strong and accurate arm as well as his ability to scramble. He is yet to win the award but many experts are confident this is his year. The last prospect is Jahvid Best. Best is a burner for a running back. His sophomore year he broke out with explosive games against Michigan State and Washington State. He gets a majority of his team’s yards on the ground and his playmaker ability is one of the best in the country.
All three candidates have reasons for winning the Heisman but the favorite should most definitely be Tim Tebow. He is currently leading the #1 team in the land, the Florida Gators, and he is always in the news. Nevertheless none of the top 3 vote-getters were anything other than quarterbacks and running backs. The discrimination toward less offensively prolific positions must end. Heisman voters must take a look at wide outs like Dez Bryant and Jordan Shipley or defensive playmakers like George Selvie and Taylor Mays. The reign of offensive superior positions will hopefully end soon and when it does I’ll be the first person standing and applauding.