What is a Heisman Trophy worth? The Heisman trophy was awarded this weekend to the best overall football player in the 2013 football season. Jameis Winston Quarterback from Florida State was the winner. Jameis Winston becomes the youngest player to receive the award, he received 2,205 points. Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron came in second place with 704 points, creating the fifth-largest margin of victory in the modern Heisman era, despite Winston being left off 115 ballots. His 668 first-place votes are 9th all time.Jameis Winston was accused of raping a coed in December of 2o12. However, The Florida State's Attorney announced on December 5th, 2013 that Winston would not be charged and the case was closed. That opened the door for Winston to high step to podium to pick up the Heisman Trophy. Winston becomes the third Florida State player to win the Heisman Trophy. Charlie Ward won it in 1993, and Chris Weinke in 2000.
So, it really causes me pause. Lets take a look back at a few of the most recent Heisman Trophy Winners and what it has meant to them and their universities.
Cam Newton was the 2010 winner a Quarterback at University of Auburn. Cam Newton's father Cecil was accused of shopping his son's services to the highest bidder. It was alleged that Cecil told Auburn that Mississippi State had offered to pay $180,000 for his son to attend Mississippi State. Yet, somehow and miraculously Newton ends up playing for The University of Auburn Tigers, which is another SEC school within the same division. Do we really think he went there for free? Newton won the trophy because he was reported as not having any knowledge of what his father was doing behind the scenes as his pseudo agent. An interesting loophole. In 2010 Cam Newton went on to win a National Championship title for Auburn and ultimately won the Heisman Trophy.
In 2011 Robert Griffin III, won the Heisman Trophy. This was the first Heisman Trophy for the University of Baylor. And what has it meant for the university and institution? Well, Baylor has broken ground on a brand new $250 million dollar state of the art football stadium. They aren't paying for said stadium with government funds folks. Griffin helped Baylor win their first Big XII conference title. Since then Baylor has become a top tier football power. Until that point Baylor had been a doormat in the Big XII conference and since then has vaulted themselves to the top of the Big XII and a consistent title contender.
In 2012 Johnny Manziel aka "Johnny Football" won the Heisman Trophy for Texas A&M. It was reported that Texas A&M donations increased by $750 million dollars during 2013. Yes, there is serious money at stake for winning a Heisman Trophy. During the 2013 off-season Johnny Manziel was accused of selling autographs for money which is a NCAA violation that they take semi-seriously. Manziel and A&M contacted and hired the same law firm that represented Cam Newton during his alleged off-field distraction. All I can say is smart. Manziel only faced a self (Texas A&M) imposed half game suspension against Rice. A game they should have won with their third string quarterback. And Texas A&M went to win the game 52-31.
This leads us to 2013 and the Heisman Winner Jameis Winston. Jameis Winston was in my opinion the best football player in 2013. Winston led his team to the only undefeated record in College Football. He looked like a man among boys and I believe he has a very bright future as a professional quarterback in the NFL, in the same light as Ben Rothlesberger. Yes Rothlesberger is a supreme talent but has also had off the field issues with the ladies. Would I have voted for him. I don't know.
Jameis Winston's accuser's attorney is asking the Attorney General's Office to review the case. Without going into all of the details, the accuser has a spotty memory of the events on the evening of the incident which is consistent with symptoms of having taken the date rape drug. The investigating Detective reportedly said, "Tallahassee was a big football town and the victim needs to think long and hard before proceeding against [Winston] because she will be raked over the coals and her life will be made miserable." The Attorney General's office found there wasn't sufficient evidence to prosecute and proceed with the case, saving the Florida Tax player this money that could potential be used to update their voter machines. Just kidding of course, but in recent years Florida just continues to face controversies.
I believe it is a win for Jameis Winston and Florida State University, but a loss for college football and a big loss for this college football fan. College Football my favorite sport keeps having controversy after controversy and that is simply because there is so much money at stake for Universities, Coaches, Players, and Agents. I expect the worst to continue to be lurking around the corner of every season.
