Entering the 2011 NCAA Football season, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III was hardly considered a contender to win the Heisman Trophy.  But a Superman-like performance that saw him pass for 3998 yards and 36 touchdowns, rush for another 644 yards and 9 touchdowns, and lead the Baylor Bears to an impressive 9-3 season not only vaulted him into contention, but it also helped him bring the prestigious award back to Waco for the first time in school history.

And speaking of Superman, RG3 paid tribute to the superhero with this interesting choice of socks during Saturday’s Heisman presentation, which also featured a cape for some added warmth during these cold winter months.

In his first couple of seasons at Ohio State, George battled fumbling issues, which led to less playing time in a backup role.  However, he was named the starter in his junior year and had a very productive season, but it was not until his senior season that George reached his full potential.  Eddie had a monster final season at Ohio State, rushing for a school record 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns.  He was drafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers and went on to win the Rookie of the Year.

Eddie George was the prototypical workhorse running back, as he carried the ball at least 330 times in five of his eight seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization.  Many people believe that George’s heavy workload was what led to his injuries and decline in production over his last few seasons.

Here is one of George’s most impressive college touchdowns.

Notable Birthdays

Dick Butkus, NFL – Born December 9th 1942 (age 69) in Chicago, Illinois

Petr Nedved, NHL – Born December 9th 1971 (age 40) in Liberec, Czechoslovakia

Shayne Graham, NFL – Born December 9th 1977 (age 34) in Radford, Virginia

Bo Jackson is most remembered for being a great two-sport athlete, excelling in baseball and football, as he was named an All-Star in both the National Football League and Major League Baseball.  In 1982, Jackson was drafted by the New York Yankees, but decided to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship.  In his four years at Auburn, Bo dominated the SEC, which led to him being taken first overall at the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, the Buccaneers organization were afraid that Jackson would injure himself playing baseball and therefore gave him an ultimatum to choose baseball or football.  This led to Jackson signing with the Kansas City Royals and his name was re-entered into the 1987 NFL Draft, where the Oakland Raiders used a seventh-round pick on him.

Here is a tribute to Bo Jackson.

Notable Birthdays

Johnny Bench, MLB – Born December 7th 1947 (age 64) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Larry Bird, NBA – Born December 7th 1956 (age 55) in West Baden, Indiana

Terrell Owens, NFL – Born December 7th 1973 (age 38) in Alexander City, Alabama

After finding the “Daily Double” in the category “Colleges & Universities,” Christopher was feeling confident enough about his knowledge of America’s academic institutions that he decided to risk $1000.  Then he was confronted with the following question:

“In 2010 Cam Newton became this university’s third Heisman Trophy winner.”

Christopher’s answer would result in a loss of $1000 and a public shaming, as he will now be able to watch this embarrassing display on several sports blogs over the next couple of days.

Hat Tip – [The War Eagle Reader]

Barry Sanders’ 1988 college football season is considered by many as one of the greatest seasons in college football history.  Sanders averaged over 200 yards rushing per game to go along with his 7.6 yards per carry average.  He set several college records including; 2,628 total rushing yards, 3,248 total yards, 37 rushing touchdowns, 39 total touchdowns and five consecutive 200 yard rushing games.  In the Holiday Bowl, Sanders played in only the first three quarters, but still managed 222 rushing yards and five touchdowns.  Barry decided to skip his senior season in order to enter the 1989 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions held the #3 overall pick and used it to pick Sanders.  He went on to have a brilliant professional career and to this day is still considered one of the best running backs of all-time.  He surprised the football world by retiring at age 30 and at the time of his retirement was less than 1500 rushing yards away from Walter Payton’s all-time mark.

Here is a tribute to Barry Sanders.

Notable Birthdays

Lindsey Hunter: NBA – Born December 3rd 1970 (age 40) in Utica, Mississippi

Paul Byrd: MLB – Born December 3rd 1970 (age 40) in Louisville, Kentucky

Rock Cartwright: NFL – Born December 3rd 1979 (age 31) in Conroe, Texas

Just to clarify, O.J. Simpson was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1968.  Since then he has been acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1995, and was found guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008.

The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, on the other hand, may have received some gifts and improper benefits during his time at USC.

And the NCAA is stripping who of their Heisman Trophy?

Hat Tip – [Twitter]

After leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a National Championship game this year and winning a Heisman trophy, quarterback Sam Bradford has decided to return for his junior season.

Bradford led the Oklahoma Sooners to a record breaking season, in which they scored 716 total points and had 78 offensive touchdowns. He also led the nation in touchdown passes with 50 and had a nation leading and college football record setting passer rating of 180.9.  He made the announcement with less drama than his counterpart quarterback in the Championship game Tim Tebow, but nonetheless Oklahoma Sooner fans are just as thrilled to have their star back for atleast one more season.

Sam Bradford grew up dreaming of playing quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners, he had this to say at a news conference,

“I’ve dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little, and my three years here have been probably three of the best years of my life, and I really feel that there’s no need to cut this experience short,”

Leaving behind an opportunity to be an early first round pick, Bradford felt that to leave without a National Championship would be an unaccomplished goal.  This news also allows Bradford to accomplish a goal only one other player in the history of the modern era has achieved, and that is to win the Heisman trophy multiple times.  Bradford will have some help in making this run as tight end Jermaine Gresham is also returning for his senior season, Gresham has caught 23 touchdowns over the last 2 seasons.

This decision leaves many NFL teams that are quarterback deprived with a few more worries, with Matthew Stafford the only anticipated quarterback to be drafted in the first round.  These teams may have to select the next best quarterback and hope that he can become something special, the likes of Pat White, Graham Harrell, Chase Daniel, and Rhett Bomar. This draft features many players from the offensive line and the defense with some athletic wide receivers.

I think that Sam Bradford’s decision to stay was a good one and barring a serious injury has a shot at ending his college career on a high note, winning a national title.  If 2008 was a preview to the year we are going to have in 2009 then I cannot wait.

The gathering of Gator fans, which had been chanting “one more year” throughout the ceremony, erupted in its biggest cheer of the afternoon and Tebow was met with hugs from happy teammates and coaches.

It was music to the Gators’ fans ears, they were hoping that their leader and starting quarterback would utter those magic words.  Tim “Superman” Tebow will return to the Florida Gators and look to accomplish something no other Florida Gator quarterback has done and that is to lead his team to an undefeated season and a third National Championship.

“I just love being here. I love being a Gator. I feel loyal to this place, and I want to stick it out and finish what I started here.

“It was (a tough decision). I prayed about it a long time, talked to a lot of coaches and a lot of people involved with the NFL and Coach (Urban) Meyer for a long time. It was a tough decision. But I am having so much fun here and I want to enjoy it one more year.”

Tim Tebow had a sensational season, statistically it was not his best, however, he accomplished so much more in the grand scheme of things.  He will also be looking to achieve something only one other player in college football history has done and that is to win multiple Heisman trophies.  Archie Griffen, the only multiple Heisman trophy winner in the history of the award, dating back to 1935, will be surprised to see his accomplishment reached by another player.  With the likes of Sam Bradford, Drew Stafford, Pat White, Chase Daniel, Knowshon Moreno, Shonn White and many other fantastic athletes declaring for the NFL, there is a strong possibility that Tebow may be a repeat winner of the Heisman Trophy.

Urben Meyer may be as thrilled as anyone to hear that Tim Tebow  is returning and that this upcoming season will not be a learning year for the Florida Gators.  Florida had only three seniors on the field for the Championship game against the Sooners and this years success should carry over into the upcoming season.

The Gators are still awaiting the decisions of two other talented juniors, Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes who have not officially disclosed their decisions yet and will have before this Thursday’s deadline to decide.

3 National Championships and 2 Heisman Trophies, it’s something athletes only dream of!

Tim Tebow Tells Gators Fans He’s Coming Back Video

Billy Sims played for the Oklahoma Sooners and won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.  I guess he was really excited that a Sooner won this coveted trophy for the 5th time in history.  Other than that we have no idea why he would be yelling such a thing in a classy event like the Heisman Presentation.  Do it at a bowl game, do it during any game for that matter.  But have a little respect and don’t do it at an event like the Heisman, this is not the NFL Draft.

“I’ve been getting some bad press. I apologize to the Bradford family and the Heisman Trust if I crossed a boundary. But, there’s no way I’d try to upstage your son’s day.”

Sam Bradford, didn’t mind at all so he says,

“I didn’t feel like he took anything in any way away from me,” Bradford said. “I think he made my moment even more special by sharing the traditions of the university with me as I accepted the award. So I had absolutely no problem whatsoever with Billy yelling ‘Boomer.’ ”

Good for Sam Bradford for taking the high road and not letting and drunk old man ruin his special day.

Billy Sims Yelling At The Heisman Presentation

Believe it or not, Florida Gators Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore wearing a Gators shaded blue cast on his right arm.  He broke his non throwing right hand during a play against rival Florida State Seminoles 2 weeks before the trophy was awarded.

This year it was Sam Bradford of the Oklahoma Sooners who injured his non throwing left hand during a play against rival Oklahoma State Cowboys.  Again 2 weeks later Sam Bradford wins the Heisman Trophy wearing a Sooner shaded maroon cast, beating out Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy of Texas.

Take this new trend for what it is, but that’s 2 years in a row where a quarterback goes on to win the Heisman Trophy who breaks or injures their non throwing hand exactly 2 weeks before the Heisman Trophy presentation, wearing a cast shaded as their teams color.

If there was a trend book for Heisman Trophy winners you would be sure that next year it would be published in a  gamblers trend book, titled as “the Heisman Trophy winner goes to the one wearing the cast.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for this trend in future Heisman’s as your guaranteed to be a winner.