Brian Sharp for The New York Times
John Heisman died in 1936, a few days before his 67th birthday. He was buried in Rhinelander, Wis.,
the hometown of his widow, Edith. Two months later, the Heisman Trophy was named for him.
Posted on 12/08/2006 6:33:39 PM PST by Ready4Freddy
The old football coach had a cold, and as it worsened that September, his wife summoned a doctor to the couple’s Midtown Manhattan apartment. A week earlier, the coach had played 18 holes of golf and worked out at his local gym. But now he had pneumonia, and his condition was deteriorating by the day.
Then, on Oct. 3, 1936, a crisp Saturday and a good day for a college football game, the man with what would become the sport’s most famous name died at home.
Seventy years ago, the passing of John William Heisman a few days before his 67th birthday caused little stir in New York, not as the Yankees were defeating the Giants in their first World Series with Joe DiMaggio. Several days later, Heisman was buried in Rhinelander, Wis., the hometown of his widow, Edith.
Tomorrow, the 72nd Heisman Trophy will be awarded to the nation’s most outstanding college football player. In the seven decades since Heisman’s death, the small, flush-with-the-ground gravestone at his resting place has rarely been visited. It has never, for example, been visited by a Heisman Trophy winner, cemetery officials said.
Mike Garrett, the 1965 winner, might have best summarized the attitude of the college football community. Handed the trophy 41 years ago, Garrett asked: “The award is wonderful, but who’s Heisman?”
Heisman, born two weeks before the first American football game was played between Princeton and Rutgers in 1869, is often referred to as a pioneering coach — when he is remembered at all. It would be more accurate to call Heisman someone who acted as the game’s conscience. He was a forceful defender of its soul and a tireless advocate of its potential.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Brian Sharp for The New York Times
John Heisman died in 1936, a few days before his 67th birthday. He was buried in Rhinelander, Wis.,
the hometown of his widow, Edith. Two months later, the Heisman Trophy was named for him.
Auburn football ping but this time the thread has a historical AU connection. The Trophy's namesake, John Heisman, coached at Auburn from 1895 until 1899.
War Eagle!
Thanks for posting this thread.
Here's another ping - this one's on Heisman.
And, alas, he's currently the athletic director at USC...he gets some praise, but right now he's likely getting a whole lot more flack.
Just turned on the Montana/UMASS Div.1 playoff game...playoffs,what an interesting idea!
yeah...I'm watching it too....after watching Iowa blow up Iowa State for much of their game....
You're quite welcome, indcons. Thought it looked interesting, but had no idea who to ping. I see you did, MfO came along w/ the ping list! Enjoy. ;>)
War Eagle!!
Heisman ran up the score against Cumberland because Ga Tech had been stiffed in the rankings simply because they hadn't scored enough in a previous game.
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