Eddie George Inducted Into NCAA Hall of Fame, Announces Heisman Prospects
Eddie George, who recently became a piece of football history after being inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame, has announced the finalists for the next Heisman Trophy winner.
George, a former NFL RB who won the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State University in 1995, expressed his excitement for receiving the award.
"I feel incredibly honored and humbled to be inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame,” George told The Christian Post. “I would never have been able to accomplish the early goals I set for myself if it wasn't for the love and support from my family, friends and hard-working training and coaching teams.”
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The now-retired football player acknowledged the amount of work that was required in order to be a successful football star.
“The long hours of hard work, dedication and sacrifice I've learned throughout the years and during my football career have made me a better businessman today and I am thankful," said George at a his NCAA induction ceremony presented by TR Luxury Group, Brewer Sports International and Patty Laurent Signature.
The hall-of-famer was also given the duty of announcing this year’s Heisman Trophy Award finalists. Among the group was Montee Ball, University of Wisconsin RB, Robert Griffin II, Baylor University QB, Stanford University QB Andrew Luck, Louisiana State University cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and University of Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
While the winners will be announced on Dec. 10, Luck and Richardson have made their way to the top of fan favorite polls across the web.
The Heisman Trophy represents the best college football player of the year. In an ESPN poll, 3,570 people voted Richardson, an Alabama junior running back, to the top of their list.
Richardson has had experience playing with another former Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, for two years. In three years, his team record was 35-2 and he has broken out as a starter this year.
The 5’11, 225-pound junior RB scored 23 touchdowns as a starter with 1,583 yards.
The Alabama MVP is paving the way for the BCS National Championship Game and has gained even more attention after recently rushing 204 yards against Auburn. Although Richardson is the top ranked on ESPN and USA Today fan polls, he has competition for the Heisman. Andrew Luck, Stanford QB, is ranked second for the Heisman Trophy favorite in the ESPN and USA Today fan polls.
Luck received 1,634 votes in the ESPN poll, and impressed fans after throwing four touchdown passes against Notre Dame. In the USA Today fan poll, he is only trailing Richardson by two points.
With Luck as the starting QB, Stanford has been able to win 31 games in three years and has won more games than any other QB at the university. Luck’s head coach, David Shaw, thinks his QB is the best contender for the Heisman.
"Andrew Luck is the best player in the nation," Shaw stated in an ESPN report. "He's the only guy I've seen that has everything. Mobility, intellect, leadership, toughness, arm strength, quick release, decisive, scrambles, great in the pocket and out of the pocket.”
Although Mathieu has not been placed at the top of many polls, he thanked God for being nominated in the same category as his competition.
“Thank GOD!! I am truly blessed!!" Mathieu tweeted after his name was announced as a Heisman finalist.
