Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy

by John M. Heisman, Mark Schlabach

The first authorized and definitive biography of the man whose life has been memorialized by the eponymous Heisman Trophy, written by his great-nephew.

To the select fraternity of men who have won the Heisman Trophy since its inception in 1935, the award is so much more than just a football trophy. The Heisman is a national symbol of collegiate football experience and competitiveness. Over time, it has become the single most celebrated individual award in all of American sports.

Although the Heisman Trophy is old, it does not age. If anything, its impact gets stronger every year. No other individual award captures the country’s imagination like the Heisman does. From the very first time toe meets leather to kick off a college football season, fans across the country begin debating which players will be the top Heisman Trophy candidates.

While the Heisman Trophy is the most famous individual award in sports, very little is known about John W. Heisman, the man the Downtown Athletic Club of New York chose to honor in 1936 by naming its national player of the year award for him.

In The Man Behind the Trophy , John M. Heisman, the legendary coach’s great-nephew, and New York Times bestselling author Mark Schlabach offer college football fans across the country the first authorized and definitive biography of the man whose life has been memorialized by the Heisman Trophy.

After combing through thousands of pages of Heisman’s personal documents, writings, playbooks, and never-before-published correspondence with some of college football’s most famous coaches, the authors have chronicled Heisman’s life from a young boy growing up on the oil fields of northwest Pennsylvania to eventually becoming one of the sport’s most innovative and successful coaches.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Football

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2012

Reviews

[Marion Mahoney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of course, the name Heisman now has cache; and John Heisman did make a name for himself - early in his coaching career - in the South. He was, in fact, the first college football coach to ever receive a salary - in today’s dollars, about $58,000! He had been an actor, whom some described as “histrionic”, and was known for using these dramatic “gifts” to “play to the press”. My biggest problem with this book is the lack of research and cross-checking. Perhaps the author, Mark Schlabach (best known for his books on the Duck Dynasty) relied too much on John William Heisman’s grand nephew - John M. Heisman - and the resources he had at his fingertips. It is apparent, in the case of John W. Heisman’s one year career at Washington and Jefferson College, where he’d been hired by my grandfather, Robert Martin Murphy (college administrator, student solicitor, and graduate manager of athletics) that no research was done there. Otherwise, it would have been evident (I have newspaper articles to this effect) that John W. Heisman had nothing to do with the Washington and Lee situation, occurring there in 1923. Robert Martin Murphy, Heisman’s boss - who had been on campus since 1902 (when he had become a student at W&J) - was in charge of the situation, resolved it in the office of President Simon S. Baker, issued a “statement of the facts” to the press, and, actually, never intended to have Charles West play because he had a sprained ankle. President Baker then issued a statement, after the fact. If John Heisman wrote a letter at that point, it was superfluous, over dramatic, and an attempt to heap praise upon himself. Charles West was a fixture of the Washington, Pennsylvania community, a star at Washington High School, an excellent student, and a revered member of Washington and Jefferson College. Not just of his football team. He had, along with the undefeated 1921 team (under Earle “Greasy” Neale), been a house guest of my great grandparents before the 1921 Pitt game, but also for the week before 20 players of those 35 travelled out to Pasadena. That all happened well before Heisman appeared on campus. Charles West did not need a savior. Indeed, what did John W. Heisman, himself an outsider, imagine he was saving Charles West from? Washington and Jefferson was a Christian College - it named itself as such. Discrimination did not exist there - as President Baker so eloquently stated.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the man, the coach and the person that the Heisman Trophy is named for.

While his playing career in the early days of the development of the American game of football was limited his many year of coaching an his innovations for the game are dramatic.

Well worth the read for those interested in the history of football.

[Matthew Tessnear · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Heisman' is essential historical literature for any sports fan, sports journalist and American. It's a book full of football guts, but its skeleton and heart are a compelling and connecting American story of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

[Cindy Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving it three stars because Heisman is so amazing. This book is a must read for football coaches and the details of teams and scores would likely interest them. For a reader like me, I would have preferred to learn more about him as a person rather than his scores for every game.

[Brandon Kopceuch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend college football fans read this book to see how the trophy got its name.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view of life of the man behind the Heisman Trophy. I knew nothing about him!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably wrong tlo love a book this much
College football faithful will thoroughly enjoy

[Doug I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only football fans, obviously.

[Michael Montegut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heisman, the Man Behind the Trophy
On October 23, 1869 a man named John Heisman was born in
Cleveland, Ohio. His parents were immigrants from Germany; they immigrated to the U.S. not long before he was born. John’s father later moved his family to Titusville, Pennsylvania. He was an owner of a barrel company that carried wine, beer, and even oil. He later started business with “Standard Oil Company” owned by John D. Rockefeller. John attended Titusville High School, and that’s where he played his first real competitive game of football. John strived in the game, and started to become a real star. He played left tackle, but was very small for his position; he weighed only about 175 pounds by the end of his senior year. John’s father wanted John to go to law school, and John followed that path. He attended Brown University in1887. John was very involved in sports their; he played baseball and football. Brown, unfortunately for John, dropped football as an intercollegiate game in 1889 so his play was limited to just club games.
Heisman later decided to transfer to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue his law degree. There he also started playing football. Penn was a better football team than Brown so that was better for John. Heisman played for a successful Penn team until an event that he never forgets happened. While playing Princeton, Heisman severely injured his eye. The doctors told him that he would have to rest in for two years. In 1892, Heisman returned to Ohio. While settling down he got a offer for a coaching job at Oberlin College. After he got this offer he decided to end his pursuit of a law degree. The first year, Oberlin went undefeated; this was an outstanding turning point in Heisman’s life. Through his success, Heisman became very well-known and got an offer from Auburn, at the time known as, Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
He ended up staying there for 5 years; his final record was 12-4-2. During his time at Auburn, Heisman created something the sport had never seen before. Heisman had created the forward pass. This is something that was technically illegal at the time. This would change the sport into something the world had never seen before. While Heisman was in Texas, investing in a tomato farm, he saw his former player, and current Clemson professor; Walter Riggs. Riggs offered Heisman a job at Clemson to be a full-time head coach. He accepted, and ended up having a fantastic career there. He led the team to its first undefeated season, and had a final record of 19-3-2. During his days there he meet the love of his life; a widow by the name of Evelyn Cox.
They got married in 1903. The next year, Georgia Tech offered Heisman a head coaching job beginning at the start of the 1904 season. He and his family would move to Atlanta where he would coach some of the best games of his life, and stay for 17 seasons. Unfortunately, everything is not perfect, and Heisman and his wife got divorced in 1918. Closing in on Heisman’s final days he was offered a job from Rice University in Houston, Texas. He took it, and was granted a salary of $9,000. That brought him to the highest paid coach in the nation at the time.
Heisman’s days at Rice weren’t successful, and he decided to resign from college football, and move up to New York. Heisman did many great things in New York including many athletic jobs, but never returned to coaching. Heisman died on October 3, 1936. Two months later, he was recognized for his great works by getting a trophy re-named in his honor, it was called the “Heisman Memorial Trophy.” It is known as one of the greatest accomplishments of all sports.

[Nick Ohrn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this was the definition of a quick read. I think it only took me 3-4 hours total to get through the book.

The work was about what I expected. Most of the narrative was coverage of the games and experiences that shaped Heisman's life. There was mention of his teams' records over the years, the innovations he pioneered, and the non-football things he did. I was surprised to learn that Heisman was an actor and manager of an acting troupe. That is something I definitely did not know beforehand.

I learned some things I hadn't previously known, and am glad I read the book, but I wouldn't classify it as a "must read" by any stretch of the imagination.

[John Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Heisman" is a biography of the legendary football coach John Heisman, who invented many of the rules and techniques used in college football, and who coached at Oberlin, Buchtel, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Penn, Washington & Jefferson, and Rice. Most of the story is of his professional life because little is known of his personal life, but there was some good detail about his father and family roots, and some interesting stories about his hobbies. Who knew that Heisman acted in Shakespearean plays and a led an acting troupe that performed plays in theaters across the South? He also did a fair amount of writing for various newspapers. An interesting read for football fans.

[Elaine Heisman]

I was captivated! This book is about football like the Blindside is. Amazing true story with history, romance, drama . Yet it is remarkable for football historians. I didn't know coach Heisman had a black player in 1922 ,that he made so many innovations (forward pass, hike signal, quarters, protective equipment, many plays). Many of the things we take for granted now, he worked hard to establish

[Michael Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at the life of the man behind the Heisman trophy. He was certainly a trailblazer. It's fascinating how football has evolved over the years and this book helps a person further understand that transition. Heisman is worthy of the award having his name. If you are a football historian, this book is a must.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learned a lot about early football as well as Heisman's contributions to the sport-- hiking, scoreboard, quarters, forward passes! I didn't know he was an actor and newspaper columnist as well. Very interesting man and a good book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of the most revered college football coach in history. Fascinating reach into his personal life. Highly recommended for the CFB fan.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 4 out of 5]

you know the trophy, you should get to know the man ... innovator and all-around stud

[Heather Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but it was more about Heisman's GAMES than the actual man himself.