Well, let me tell ya, the Heisman Trophy ain’t just some fancy award, it means a whole lot to folks, especially when ya talk about the Sooner State, Oklahoma. You see, OU, that’s Oklahoma University, has got a real special place in the Heisman history. Ain’t no surprise there though, cause OU’s been home to some mighty fine football players, and they’ve got seven Heisman winners to prove it. That’s right, seven! That ties ‘em with big names like Ohio State, Notre Dame, and USC. Now that’s something to be proud of, don’t ya think?
Now, let me take you back a bit, all the way to when this Heisman Trophy thing started. Back in 1935, that’s when the first Heisman was handed out. And since then, folks from OU been showin’ up real strong in the race. You ever heard of a man named Billy Vessels? Well, he was the first one from OU to win the Heisman back in 1952. A real tough cookie, that one. He rushed for over 1,000 yards that year, which was no small feat back then. He set a mighty high bar for the rest of ‘em.
Then came Steve Owens in 1969. Now, Steve wasn’t just some ordinary player. Oh no, he was somethin’ special. He rushed for 1,647 yards and 21 touchdowns that year, carryin’ the ball 393 times! Can you imagine? Folks sayin’ he played like a hard-hat tailback, just puttin’ in the work, day in and day out. He earned every bit of that Heisman, I’ll tell ya.
But wait, there’s more! In 2008, a fella by the name of Sam Bradford from OU went on to win the Heisman too. Now, I remember folks talkin’ all about him, sayin’ he had the goods. Kenny Mossman, one of them football folks, he thought Sam was gonna win it long before it was official. And sure enough, he did. He was a quarterback, and ya know, quarterbacks got a big ol’ job out there. But Sam, he was the one who made it happen, and he’s remembered for it still today.
Now, folks might not know this, but OU got somethin’ else goin’ for ‘em too. They’re the only school where two quarterbacks won the Heisman in back-to-back years. That’s right, Baker Mayfield followed by Kyler Murray, two quarterbacks takin’ home that shiny Heisman in consecutive years. You don’t see that happenin’ too often now, do ya? Kyler Murray, he was somethin’ else. After a year at Texas A&M, he transferred to Oklahoma and just tore it up, takin’ the Heisman home in 2018.
Now, I reckon you might be wonderin’ how all this Heisman talk fits together, so let me break it down for ya. The Heisman ain’t just an award for the best player, it’s a symbol of hard work, dedication, and heart. OU has been home to so many great players, folks who gave their all for the game. They’ve made their mark on college football, and that’s somethin’ that can’t be taken away.
It’s not just about football though. You see, OU’s got some smart folks too. Take Ty Darlington, for instance. He won the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2015, which is known as the Academic Heisman. That’s right, it’s for folks who’re smart as a whip, and Ty was one of those. So, OU’s not just about big plays and touchdowns, they also got brains, which is mighty important if ya ask me.
And don’t get me started on the history of the Heisman Trophy itself. It’s changed a lot over the years, started out as a little ol’ individual honor, and now, well, it’s the biggest award in college football. It’s a real big deal, and folks from all over the country tune in to see who’s gonna take home that trophy each year. But if you’re from Oklahoma, you know who the real winners are. And they ain’t just some flash in the pan either. OU’s players have stood the test of time, and they’ve set a high standard for the rest of ‘em.
So, next time someone brings up the Heisman, just remember this: Oklahoma’s got a rich history with that trophy. They’ve produced some of the finest players in the game, and they’re sure to keep doin’ it for years to come. OU’s got a legacy that’s tough to beat, and those Heisman winners? Well, they’ve earned every bit of that glory. You don’t get handed a Heisman without a whole lotta work, that’s for sure.
Tags：[Heisman winners, Oklahoma University, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Sam Bradford, Steve Owens, Billy Vessels, college football, Oklahoma football, football history, Heisman Trophy, OU history]
