[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHN WILLIAM HEISMAN TO FOOTBALL

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                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Con. Res. 123, recognizing the historical and national significance of 
the many contributions of John William Heisman to the sport of 
football.
  John Heisman was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1869 and was raised in 
Titusville, Pennsylvania where he began playing football as a young 
boy. At that time, football was not played as it is today, but instead 
it resembled more of a rugby match. In 1887, Heisman left his home town 
for Brown University, where he participated in club football with his 
classmates. However, two years later he transferred to the University 
of Pennsylvania to pursue a law degree. Even though Heisman was 
outsized at 5'8", he continued his collegiate career playing varsity 
football for three years at guard, tackle, center, and as an end.
  John Heisman was nearly debilitated from being struck by lightning 
and in turn had to take his final exams at the University of 
Pennsylvania orally to achieve his law degree in 1892. From there, he 
received his first coaching position at Oberlin College, where he led 
the team to an undefeated season in its second full season at the 
school. Clearly, Heisman had found a niche in coaching football, and 
his illustrious career was just beginning.
  His coaching career continued with stints at the University of Akron, 
Auburn University, Clemson University, the University of Pennsylvania, 
Washington and Jefferson College, and Rice University. However, while 
his coaching career extended from 1892-1927, his most memorable years 
were from 1904-1919 when he coached at the Georgia Institute of 
Technology in Atlanta, GA. At Georgia Tech, Heisman had an astounding 
record of 102-29-6, and even held three undefeated seasons with 33 
straight wins. Heisman went on to retire from the game he loved and so 
heavily influenced in 1927 at the age of 62. Even though Georgia Tech 
is my own alma mater, I think that every football player, coach, and 
fan will recognize that Heisman's record of achievement deserves our 
praise.
  John Heisman's retirement did not last long as he moved to New York 
and found time to write about his experiences and served in various 
advisory positions. Because of his influence on the athletic community 
there he was asked to serve as the first Athletic Director of the 
Downtown Athletic Club in New York City on May 23, 1930. While serving 
in this capacity, Heisman organized and founded the Touchdown Club of 
New York, and later the National Football Coaches Association.
  The Downtown Athletic Club insisted that Heisman design a voting 
system to honor and award the best collegiate football player of each 
year. Because of his humble love and respect for the game of football, 
he initially did not want to design such a system due to his misgivings 
about promoting a player over the importance of teamwork. However, he 
later noted that it would be a consummate team accomplishment to have 
such an award for one of its players. The first Downtown Athletic Club 
Award was given to Jay Berwanger in 1935, but John Heisman would be 
unable to award this distinguished honor to another young man in 1936 
as he contracted pneumonia and passed away later that year. Shortly 
thereafter, the Downtown Athletic Club renamed their renowned trophy 
after its founder, calling it the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
  Mr. Speaker, John Heisman has had a lasting impact on the game of 
football, and he undoubtedly inspires young men each year. The Heisman 
Trophy Award is the most sought after accolade in college football, and 
those who have honorably achieved that distinction will forever 
remember the accomplishments of the man that bears its name. Heisman 
molded the game of football to include the ``hike'' from a center to a 
quarterback, and he claimed his most notable achievement was enacting 
the forward pass into the rules of the game; both of which are staples 
of today's sport of football. I applaud John Heisman and recognize his 
lifetime of service and accomplishment in the game of football.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield 
back.

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