D.I.E. Diversity, Inequity, and Exclusion

Each December the football world anxiously gathers for the announcement of what is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in sports: the Heisman. Given annually to the player whose “performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work” … that’s the stated selection criteria. There’s a certain mystique associated with the trophy, driven by fair-minded ideals and principles. Fair-minded as long as you’re not a defensive player.

Of the 92 times the Heisman has been awarded, not once has a pure defensive player ever won the award. There are some who will point to the 1997 shocker that saw Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson come out on top …the same Woodson who had 11 receptions, 2 receiving touchdowns and 41 yards rushing, all while dazzling us in the return game. More recently, Travis Hunter walked away with the coveted hardware that is the Heisman. Yes, he rose to fame playing defense but in 2024, the year he won the award, he racked up 96 receptions totaling 1,258 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. Both men made their name playing defense, and neither became a true contender until their offensive games came to the forefront.

Those Who Received Disservice

The names of defenders who were worthy not only of consideration but also winning reads like a veritable who’s who of college football. In the 80’s there was Hugh Green, the brilliant Pitt defensive end who tormented offenses weekly, landing him second in the 1980 race. The late, great Derrick Thomas put up a staggering 27 sacks in 1988, the same year Barry Sanders burst onto the scene, running for just shy of 3,000 yards. Both efforts were impressive, and one could argue that for his position, Thomas’s efforts were just as formidable as those put up by Sanders. Steve Emtman of Washington finished fourth in 1991, helping to lead the Huskies to the national title. And then there’s Ndamukong Suh.

As a defensive tackle, Suh carried Nebraska to the 2009 Big XII Championship Game against highly ranked and highly favored Texas. That night Suh did what he had done all season: dominate. He was a man amongst boys, clearly the best player on the field and without him, the case could easily be made that Nebraska wouldn’t have even been on that field. But when the time came to award the Heisman, Suh watched as Alabama running back Mark Ingram delivered his acceptance speech.

 Stop Bowing to the Ball

The fault doesn’t fall on the players. They do their part, showing up on Saturdays, giving their best efforts, chasing glory and hoping for a chance at collegiate immortality that only a trophy like the Heisman brings. The criteria, rather, the application of the criteria, that’s where the element of exclusion or inclusion, (depending on the side of the line of scrimmage a player resides on), that’s where the injustice of the final decision lives and breathes.

“Performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work”

That’s the passage meant to guide the Heisman voting process. Notice something? Nowhere does the phrase, “he must carry or touch the football” appear. The phrase doesn’t appear, but it has become painfully obvious to those watching and hoping that while it’s unwritten, it is understood. Eleven words: a number symbiotic to the sport, that helps form the central premise upon which it is played. We’ve always been taught that it takes eleven working together to bring about success. Some invest more than others … all make investments, but when the time comes to yield the penultimate return, only a handful are deemed worthy of receiving the maximum yield.

Why must they always play offense?

D.E.I. (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

The solution for the Heisman voting conundrum is complex, yet very simple. It requires a complete and total mindset shift. One that moves away from the deeply held belief that highlights, big plays, and game changes only have merit when they occur on the offensive side of the ball. It means building a mental folder, creating files and documents for defenders and spending time diligently making updates with the understanding that those documents are living, breathing elements that hold stories … and decide outcomes.

Offense, defense, and special teams work together to build a something special. That’s the familiar refrain and underlying principle to a successful program. Each piece helps shape and mold the gridiron puzzle that ultimately translates into personal success, including capturing trophies like the Heisman. This year and for many years to come, someone, some player is going to stand out. He’s going to make the play that turns a tide, changes a game, and perhaps, the trajectory of a program, a fanbase, and a university.

Why can’t they just play defense?