Who is the first African American quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 21, 2026
Ware won Houston's first Heisman by virtue of one of the great passing seasons in NCAA history. He remains the only player to win a Heisman for a team on NCAA probation. He was also the first black quarterback to win the award.
How many African-American quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy?
In addition, eight quarterbacks with known black ancestry have won the Heisman Trophy: Andre Ware in 1989, Charlie Ward in 1993, Troy Smith in 2006, Newton in 2010, Robert Griffin III in 2011, Jameis Winston in 2013, Jackson in 2016, and Kyler Murray, who is multiracial, in 2018.
Who was the first African-American football player to win the Heisman Trophy What was so tragic about him?
Ernie Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy before his life was tragically cut short by leukemia at the age of 23.
Has an HBCU player won the Heisman?
"Air McNair" deservedly becomes the first Brave player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame. A 1994 First Team All-American, McNair finished third for the Heisman Trophy, which is tied for the highest finish ever by an FCS player.
Who was the first African American drafted in the NFL when what team?
George Taliaferro became the first African-American player drafted by an NFL team when he was picked by the Chicago Bears in 1949.
16 related questions foundWhich black football player won the Heisman trophy twice?
Archie Mason Griffin (born August 21, 1954) is a former American football running back. He played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. Being college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, he is considered one of the greatest college football players of all time.
What was Ernie Davis illness?
After a 13-month battle against acute monocytic leukemia, the most virulent form of blood cancer, Ernie Davis succumbs to the disease and dies early this morning in a Cleveland hospital. In 1961, Davis became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
Did Ernie Davis get to play in the NFL?
In July 1962, Davis was preparing for a game in which a collegiate All-Star team was set to compete against the Green Bay Packers when he had a bloody nose and neck swelling. Doctors diagnosed it as leukemia. Sadly, Davis never made it to the NFL, as he tragically passed away at the all-too-young age of 23.
Did Jim Brown and Ernie Davis play together?
In joining the Browns, the fleet, 6-foot-2, 210-pound Davis was to be paired with the legendary Jim Brown. It was to be the most incredible assemblage of running back talent ever. "Nothing would have equaled Ernie Davis and Jim Brown," former Browns owner Art Modell said.
What University has the most Heisman Trophy winners?
Schools with the most Heisman winners:
- Ohio State: 7.
- Oklahoma: 7.
- Notre Dame: 7.
- USC: 6.
- Army: 3.
- Auburn: 3.
- Florida: 3.
- Florida State: 3.
Who won the first Heisman Trophy?
The University of Chicago's great Jay Berwanger was the first recipient of the “Downtown Athletic Club Trophy,” later dubbed the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Born in 1914 in Dubuque, Iowa, Berwanger excelled at wrestling and track as well as football, winning renown as an all-state halfback at Dubuque High.
Who is the oldest living Heisman Trophy winner?
John Christopher Lujack (pronounced Lu' jack; born January 4, 1925) is a former American football quarterback and 1947 Heisman Trophy winner; he is currently the oldest living recipient of the Heisman Trophy. Lujack played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and professionally for the Chicago Bears.
What caused Ernie Davis nose bleeds?
While training for the College All-Stars game against the NFL champion Green Bay Packers in July 1962, Davis noticed bleeding from his nose and gums, and swelling in his neck. Trainers sent him to a hospital, and doctors discovered he had leukemia.
Who did Ernie Davis beat for the Heisman Trophy?
1961: HB Ernie Davis
Davis was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, and he did so by beating out quarterback Bob Ferguson of Ohio State. Davis led Syracuse in rushing for three straight seasons and finished his career with 2,386 yards rushing, breaking the school mark previously held by Jim Brown.
Who are the last five Heisman Trophy winners?
Heisman Trophy winners, 2010-present
- Cam Newton, Auburn, QB | 2010.
- Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB | 2011.
- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, QB | 2012.
- Jameis Winston, Florida State, QB | 2013.
- Marcus Mariota, Oregon, QB | 2014.
- Derrick Henry, Alabama, RB | 2015.
- Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB | 2016.
What was the closest Heisman vote?
2009: Mark Ingram over Toby Gerhart
In the closest Heisman vote ever, the Alabama sophomore running back, left, finished only 28 points ahead of the Stanford senior running back.
What state has the most Heisman Trophy winners?
Here are the states that have produced the most Heisman winners:
- California (13) ...
- Ohio (9) ...
- Texas (9) ...
- Pennsylvania (6) ...
- Oklahoma (4) ...
- Florida (4) ...
- Georgia (4) ...
- Iowa (3)
Who won 2 Heisman Trophies?
In the 86 years the Heisman has been given out, only one player has ever won the award more than once. Former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin won the award in both 1974 and 1975, becoming the first, and to date, only player to take home the Heisman twice.
Has a true freshman ever won the Heisman?
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman in 2012. The following year, at 19 years, 342 days old, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston became the youngest Heisman Trophy winner at that time as a freshman.
Who was the first black NFL quarterback?
In 1968, Marlin Briscoe became the first Black starting quarterback in modern pro football in America. This is the story of how he came to achieve that, and the legacy he left.