Well, let me tell ya, folks, there’s somethin’ real special about Oklahoma and them Heisman Trophy winners. Now, I ain’t no sports expert, but I been hearin’ a lot about it over the years, and I gotta say, them Sooners sure do know how to bring home that shiny Heisman!
First off, you gotta know that the Heisman Trophy is somethin’ that don’t come easy. It’s a big deal in college football, an award given to the best player out there on the field. And let me tell you, them Sooners, they sure do know how to show up. Oklahoma’s been around for a long time, and over the years, they’ve had themselves seven Heisman winners. That’s right, SEVEN! Ain’t that somethin’?
The First Winner: Billy Vessels
It all started back in 1952 with a fella by the name of Billy Vessels. Now, I don’t know much about the game back then, but I reckon he was somethin’ special. Billy was a running back, and he helped lead Oklahoma to some mighty fine seasons. It must’ve been a real honor for him to get that trophy. And after that, the Sooners just kept on comin’ with more Heisman winners over the years.
Steve Owens, Billy Sims, and More
In 1969, Steve Owens took home the trophy, then in 1978, Billy Sims did the same. Folks around Oklahoma were mighty proud of them boys, no doubt about it. Now, I ain’t sayin’ they were the best ever, but they sure made a mark. Them trophies didn’t just sit on the shelf. They were proof of some mighty fine football playin’.
Jason White and Sam Bradford
Then we get to 2003, when Jason White brought another Heisman back to Oklahoma. Now, Jason wasn’t the only one, oh no. Not by a long shot. In 2008, a fella named Sam Bradford made his mark. Folks had a feelin’ he was gonna win it, and sure enough, he did. Sam Bradford tied a record that’s still standin’ today, with 53 total touchdowns. That boy was somethin’ else, I tell ya.
Bradford, he wasn’t just a regular quarterback, no sir. He was a big guy, 6’4″ and 220 pounds, comin’ from Oklahoma City. Some folks thought he had a real good shot at the Heisman, and they weren’t wrong. I reckon that’s why the trophy’s now forever attached to his name. Ain’t nobody forgettin’ ol’ Sam anytime soon.
Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield
Fast forward to 2017, and Kyler Murray was the next Sooners quarterback to take home the Heisman. That boy was quick, fast as a rabbit, and folks loved watchin’ him play. Then, not long after, in 2018, Baker Mayfield brought the trophy back to Oklahoma again. Now, Mayfield, he was somethin’ else, too. He got 732 first-place votes, and let me tell you, that’s a lot! He beat out Bryce Love from Stanford by more than a thousand points. That’s a whole heap of points, if you ask me.
Mayfield’s playin’ was top-notch, and folks around Oklahoma had themselves a good ol’ time watchin’ him. You could tell he was special the moment he stepped onto that field. He showed the world that Oklahoma didn’t just make football players, they made winners.
Why So Many Heisman Winners?
Now, you might be wonderin’ why Oklahoma’s got so many Heisman winners. Well, I reckon it’s because the Sooners got themselves a rich football tradition. They’ve been workin’ hard, year after year, turnin’ out some of the best college football players in the country. From the coaches to the players to the fans, it’s all about that big ol’ Sooner pride. They work hard, they play hard, and they sure do know how to bring home that Heisman!
And don’t forget about them other schools, like Ohio State. They’ve got seven Heisman winners, too, but Oklahoma’s tied right up with ‘em. In fact, Ohio State’s got a fella, Archie Griffin, who won it back-to-back in 1974 and 1975. Ain’t that somethin’! But, Oklahoma’s right there with ‘em, proud as can be.
As you can see, Oklahoma and the Heisman go hand-in-hand. It’s a real special connection, one that’s lasted a long time. From Billy Vessels all the way to Baker Mayfield, them Sooners have shown the world what it means to be a true winner. So, next time you watch a college football game, just remember: if you see an Oklahoma player out there, you might just be lookin’ at a future Heisman winner!
Tags：[Heisman Trophy, Oklahoma football, Sam Bradford, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Heisman winners, Oklahoma Sooners, College football]
