Heisman Trophy

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Heisman Trophy

Q: What is the Heisman Trophy awarded for?

The Heisman Trophy is an award given annually to the outstanding college gridiron football player in the United States, as determined by a poll of sportswriters.

Q: When was the Heisman Trophy established?

The Heisman Trophy was established in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City. It was named in honor of its first athletic director, John Heisman, a player and successful coach of the 1890s and early 1900s.

Q: Who was the first winner of the Heisman Trophy?

The first winner of the Heisman Trophy was John J. (“Jay”) Berwanger of the University of Chicago.

Q: How many people won the Heisman Trophy twice?

Archie Griffin of the Ohio State University is the only person to have won the Heisman Trophy twice (1974 and 1975).

college football award

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 19, 2025 • Article History

Related Topics:: American football

Notable Honorees:: O.J. Simpson; Bo Jackson; Doug Flutie; Barry Sanders

See all related content

What is the Heisman Trophy awarded for?

When was the Heisman Trophy established?

Who was the first winner of the Heisman Trophy?

How many people won the Heisman Trophy twice?

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Heisman Trophy, award given annually to the most outstanding college football player in the United States as determined by a poll of sportswriters. The trophy was instituted in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, and in 1936 it was named in honor of its first athletic director, John Heisman, a player and successful coach of the 1890s and early 1900s.

The first winner of the Heisman Trophy was Jay Berwanger, who played halfback at the University of Chicago. Running back Archie Griffin of the Ohio State University is the only two-time winner of the Heisman. He won the award in 1974 and 1975.

(Read the essay that Walter Camp wrote for Britannica in 1903 about the invention of American football.)