Jay Berwanger the first heisman trophy

Berwanger, an average income of the 'University of Chicago Maroons played in a time when Chicago was a member of the Big Ten Conference, has submitted to Robert Hutchins, president of the University, announced that as of 1939 college football will be. (Division III football, was added in 1969 once again.) Articles distributed, even just before the offensive and defensive football, Berwanger was known for his versatility. He called plays, run, run, run, block, tackle, started, were additional items and books, kickoffs and returns. Berwanger nickname list is so long: "Gridiron Genie" "one-man team" "The Flying Dutchman" (although his ancestors was actually German) and "In The Mask iron Man "(because he wore), the face guard to protect the nose broken twice.

He opted for Chicago, which has only offered a scholarship to the basic subscription of $ 300 per year. For expenses, Berwanger waited tables, cleaned the gym, near the elevators and toilets that leak fixed.

During its first year, Berwanger was coached by the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, who helped define the game of football we know today. Year Berwanger, Chicago, Stagg was the last. And team captain of football, Berwanger captain of the track team, president of the senior class and head of his fraternity, Psi Upsilon.

Berwanger was also the first player chosen for the National Football League during his first draft in 1936. After the Philadelphia Eagles signed him, Coach George Halas of the Chicago Bears acquired the rights to the signature. However, when Berwanger asked for $ 25,000 in two years, Halas decided that money was too much, so Berwanger took a job as a seller of foam rubber.

At leisure, Berwanger wrote these sports column for the Chicago Daily News, peer games in college football, and from 1936 to 1939, the football coach in Chicago. Berwanger had a game in its own role in the 1936 film The Big Football Game.

In 1954, Berwanger was inducted into the Hall of Fame college football. In 1989, was included on the 25th anniversary of Sports All-America Team, which honored players whose accomplishments extended beyond the football field.

Berwanger married Philomela Baker, also graduated from the University of Chicago in 1940, had two Berwangers son and a daughter. After his death in 1975, married Jane Temple, who died in 1998. Berwanger is survived by his three son, John Jay, a retired lawyer who graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1967, Cuyler, a guidance counselor at school, and Helen Berwanger Tierney, owner of restaurant in Onaway. Jay Berwanger, football star at the University of Chicago and the first Heisman Trophy winner, died last Wednesday, June 26, at 8:45 of lung cancer. He was 88 years old.