8/12/2023 0 Comments Charles woodson heisman![]() But for everything Manning accomplished at Tennessee, it's who he didn't beat, fair or not, that hounded him for much of his college career. So as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most captivating Heisman Trophy races ever, let's revisit that season through the eyes of players - including all four finalists themselves - coaches and media members who were there.Īfter turning down millions of dollars to return to school for his senior season, Manning endeared himself forever to Tennessee fans and entered the 1997 season as the prohibitive Heisman favorite. To this day, fans on all sides fiercely debate if the voters got it right. ![]() When Woodson edged Manning to become the first primarily defensive player to win the coveted award, it set off howls of protests in Knoxville, Tennessee. And there was big-armed Washington State QB Ryan Leaf, leading the Cougars to the Rose Bowl. There was the relatively unknown wide receiver at Marshall making defenses look silly in Randy Moss. There was Michigan's do-everything playmaker Charles Woodson, who dominated at cornerback but also excelled on special teams and offense for the unbeaten and top-ranked Wolverines. There was Tennessee QB Peyton Manning, who spurned NFL riches the year before to return to school to win an SEC title and throw for 3,819 yards and 36 touchdowns. It featured four first-round picks, three future Hall of Famers and one controversial decision. Twenty years later, it's a Heisman Trophy class that still has no peers. ![]() The oral history of the epic 1997 Heisman Trophy raceĬollege Football, Tennessee Volunteers, Michigan Wolverines, Washington State Cougars, Marshall Thundering Herd You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |