The First Heisman Trophy Is Awarded

Setting the scene

New York's Downtown Athletic Club wanted to honor the nation's best college football player and commissioned a bronze statue modeled after former Michigan star Ed Smith.

What happened

Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago won the first Downtown Athletic Club Trophy in 1935; the award was renamed the Heisman Memorial Trophy after coach John Heisman died the next year.

Why it still matters

The Heisman became college football's most famous individual prize and a springboard for NFL stardom—though Berwanger was also the first overall NFL draft pick and never played pro ball. Memorable detail: Berwanger reportedly turned down the Bears because the pay was too low.

Background

The award later became the sport's most famous individual prize.