The Not-so Humble Heisman Winner

Story posted December 11, 2017 in

The Heisman Trust Mission Statement:

According to the Heisman Trust, which oversees the awarding of college football's most prestigious award, “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the most outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winners of the trophy epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust's mission is to ensure the continuation and integrity of this award.”

In other words, the Heisman is not simply supposed to be given to the nation's best college football player. To win, you must truly exemplify the characteristics expressed in the Heisman Trust Mission Statement and hold oneself to a very high standard. 

Arrested.

Mouthing profanity to the opposing team’s fan section.

Grabbing your crotch.

Mocking the other team’s fans. 

Those would not seem to be the actions that a Heisman candidate should be able to take and still walk away with the trophy.

Nevertheless, those are some of the career-defining moments for Baker Mayfield, the senior quarterback at the University of Oklahoma, and the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner.

On Feb. 25, 2017, Mayfield was arrested and eventually pled guilty to three charges:  public intoxication; disorderly conduct; and fleeing/resisting arrest.  For his crimes, Mayfield was fined $800. His coach, Lincoln Riley, also made him participate in a university alcohol-education course and perform 35 hours of community service.  

On Nov. 18, 2017, Oklahoma played the Kansas Jayhawks. Tensions arose when the Kansas captains refused to shake Mayfield’s hand at the pre-game coin toss. During the game emotions continued to boil over when the Jayhawks hit Mayfield in the second quarter, which led to some helmet-to-helmet trash talking.

Although the Sooners won 48-3 and never trailed, it was not enough to satisfy Mayfield. He taunted the Kansas crowd from the sideline and mocked them for their team's one win, telling the fans to go cheer on the highly successful Jayhawk basketball team. Mayfield also furiously mouthed “F--- you” and grabbed his crotch when facing the Jayhawks sideline.

As a result of his actions, Mayfield was stripped of his team captain title and was benched at the start of the next game before being allowed to play.  During a public apology, Mayfield was in tears and said he was sorry for letting the game and his competitive spirit get the best of him.

While Mayfield's off-the-field antics are not deserving of the Heisman, his gameplay is extremely deserving. This season Mayfield averaged 583.3 yards of total offense per game. He finished the season with 4,340 yards from scrimmage with 41 touchdowns. It is all the more impressive when you consider that Mayfield was formerly a walk-on at Oklahoma after transferring from Texas Tech University.

Mayfield was rewarded for such a great year by winning a host of other year-end awards, including the Maxwell Award (nation's best player), the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the O’Brien Award (nation's best quarterback), and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Award. 

Mayfield is certainly disserving of these awards based on his performance on the field. However, if the Heisman is supposed to be about more than just purely production on the football field, then the committee failed to uphold its stated mission.  


Devon D’Andrea is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email
dfd5220@psu.edu.