June 9, 2004
The Heisman Trophy, honoring the outstanding college football player in the United States, is presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York each year. Iowa’s Nile Kinnick earned the Heisman Trophy in 1939.
Along with Kinnick earning the award in 1939, Iowa has had a player finish in the Top 10 in the voting on eight other occasions, including the 2002 season when QB Brad Banks placed second in the balloting. Banks became the third Iowa player to place second in the voting, joining Alex Karras in 1957 and Chuck Long in 1985.
Nile Kinnick – 1939 Heisman Trophy |
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Cal Jones – 10th, 1955 |
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Kenny Ploen – 9th, 1956 |
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Alex Karras – 2nd, 1957 |
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Randy Duncan – 2nd, 1958 |
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Chuck Long – 7th, 1984 2nd, 1985 |
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Tim Dwight – 7th, 1997 |
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Brad Banks – 2nd, 2002 |
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Brad Banks2nd in 2002
Nile Kinnicks acceptance speech |
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Nile Kinnick Heisman Award Acceptance Speech
“Thank you very, very, kindly, Mr. Holcomb. It seems to me that everyone is letting their superlatives run away with them this evening, but none the less, I want you to know that I’m mighty, mighty, happy to accept this trophy this evening.
Every football player in these United States dreams about winning that trophy, and of this fine trip to New York. Every player considers that trophy the acme in recognition of this kind. And the fact that I am actually receiving this trophy tonight almost overwhelms me, and I know that all of those boys who have gone before me must have felt somewhat the same way.
From my own personal viewpoint, I consider my winning this award as indirectly, a great tribute to the coaching staff at the University of Iowa, headed by Dr. Eddie Anderson, and to my teammates sitting back in Iowa City. A finer man and a better coach never hit these United States, and a finer bunch of boys, never graced the gridirons of the Midwest, than that Iowa team in 1939. I wish that they might all be with me tonight to receive this trophy. They certainly deserve it.
I want to take this grand opportunity to thank collectively, all the sportswriters and all the sportscasters, and all those who have seen fit, have seen their way clear to cast a ballot in my favor for this trophy. And I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Prince and his committee, the Heisman award committee, and all those connected with the Downtown Athletic Club for this trophy, and for the fine time that they’re showing me. And not only for that, but for making this fine and worthy trophy available to the football players of this country.
Finally, if you will permit me, I’d like to make a comment which in my mind, is indicative, perhaps, of the greater significance of football, and sports emphasis in general in this country, and that is, I thank God I was warring on the gridirons of the Midwest, and not on the battlefields of Europe. I can speak confidently and positively that the players of this country, would much more, much rather struggle and fight to win the Heisman award, than the Croix de Guerre.
Thank you.”