The Heisman, is it a career ending trophy?

Question

Most people that have won it has had bad luck follow them.

Answer 1

That is interesting being that a lot of recent Heisman winners had a good supporting cast that made them better and are only college players. Notice the QBs that win the Heisman are not considered NFL QBs (ie Troy Smith, Danny Weurffel, Charlie Ward, Gino Torretta, Doug Flutie*). But some have had great NFL careers or solid careers so far like Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker, Marcus Allen, Barry Sanders, Tim Brown, and Carson Palmer. It seems the Running Backs have more luck after winning the Heisman and it seems like the Heisman went to the player who had the most NFL potential in the past. If Tim Tebow wins the Heisman this year, I think he'll be added to the list of disappointment. I just don't see him as a great NFL QB. He's exciting to watch in the college game but won't be as big a factor in the NFL.

Answer 2

It is becoming a curse. Since 1990 only Eddie George, Charles Woodson, Ricky Williams and Carson Palmer have had pro bowl type careers (Leinhart and Bush are too early yo call). That's a 25% strike rate with nobody looking like a guaranteed hall of fame induction. In fact only eight since 1935 have made the hall of fame.
You are better off with the runners-up. Players like Thiessman, Elway, Steve Young, Faulk, Manning and the last three years Fitzgerald, Peterson and Vince Young (2006's McFadden could be the best, but we have to wait until next year to see) have had stellar careers.
A college star doesn't always translate. The players are bigger, faster and smarter in the pro's. The ones who think it will be easy will get found out.

Answer 3

Not really. There have been alot of great Heisman winners who went to the Hall of Fame like Marcus Allen, Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett, OJ Simpson, Roger Staubach to name a few. And some busts like Mike Rozier, David Klingler, Ty Detmer and Danny Weurfel. Others have had nice long careers like Tim Brown, Herschel Walker, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde and Charles Woodson. Just depends on the player. Just like not every 7th rounder or undrafted free agent doesn't become a pro bowler

Answer 4

No. Any player who wins the Heisman shouldn't feel cursed to do bad in the NFL. There have been a lot of booms and busts who won the trophy. Tebow will win the Heisman this year. He's only a sophmore. He will become a great NFL QB because of his versatility and intangibles.

Answer 5

Absolutely not, Eddie George had a pretty good NFL career. O. J. Simpson, Bo Jackson and Barry Sanders were super stars and Carson Palmer is a great NFL QB just to name some Heisman trophy winners with excellent NFL careers.

Answer 6

The Heisman is a joke. It very rarely goes to the best football player in college.

Answer 7

you r right because i do not know many who had won it and still had a great nfl career. troy smith won it last year and i have yet to see him play. it is the same with playing for duke there is not too many if any that left duke and had a great career. maybe grant hill but he was hurt most of his career and elton brand but he is on loseing teams

Answer 8

It's like the curse most of them didn't have a good NFL careers, few of them of a great NFL careers... and One of them is a murder-suspect. I think you know who I am talking about?

Answer 9

It's similar to the sophomore jinx. There's alot of pressure, people coming after your money, and coming after you on the field.

Answer 10

Not as bad as the Madden curse.