The Heisman Trophy will be presented today at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.
The finalists include quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor, running backs Montee Ball of Wisconsin and Trent Richardson of Alabama and LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.
The winner will join a group of players that includes Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson and Barry Sanders. That group also includes Joe Bellino, Terry Baker and Gary Beban.
Bellino, Baker and Beban?
They’re Heisman winners who were pro football busts.
Bellino rushed for 64 yards in three seasons with the Patriots in the 1960s. Baker threw no touchdown passes in 18 games with the Rams. Beban is the NFL’s Moonlight Graham: 0 for 1 passing.
Will this year’s winner leave such faint NFL footprints? We’ll see.
Bellino (1960), Baker (1962) and Beban (1967) won because they were deemed the best college football player in each of their seasons. Luckily for them, the Heisman had yet to become an award for the player “most likely to be a pro football star.”
Bellino, Baker and Beban didn’t face the scrutiny and expectations of a Jason White (2003), Matt Leinart (2004) and Troy Smith (2006).
The Heisman is a subjective award. For every Marcus Allen, there is a Johnny Rodgers.
College success has never guaranteed pro stardom. If the college game can be appreciated on its own merits, success there shouldn’t have to guarantee anything.
What to watch
Heisman Trophy presentation, 5 p.m., ESPN: Will Andrew Luck win?
by Jeff Caraska
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