Nile Kinnick's Heisman Trophy Acceptance Speech

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
Heisman Trophy Acceptance Speech
by Nile Kinnick

December 6, 1939
"Thank you very, very kindly, Mr. Holcomb. It seems to me that everyone is letting their superlatives run away with them this evening, but nonetheless, I want you to know that I'm mighty, mighty happy to accept this trophy this evening.
Every football player in these United States dreams about winning that trophy, and of this fine trip to New York. Every player considers that trophy the acme in recognition of this kind. And the fact that I am actually receiving this trophy tonight almost overwhelms me, and I know that all those boys who have gone before me must have felt somewhat the same way.
From my own personal viewpoint, I consider my winning this award as indirectly a great tribute to the new coaching staff at the University of Iowa, headed by Dr. Eddie Anderson, and to my teammates sitting back in Iowa City. A finer man and a better coach never hit these United States, and a finer bunch of boys and a more courageous bunch of boys never graced the gridirons of the Midwest than that Iowa team in 1939. I wish that they might all be with me tonight to receive this trophy. They certainly deserve it.
I want to take this grand opportunity to thank collectively all the sportswriters, and all the sportscasters, and all those who have seen fit, have seen their way clear to cast a ballot in my favor for this trophy. And I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Prince and his committee, the Heisman award committee, and all those connected with the Downtown Athletic Club for this trophy, and for the fine time that they're showing me. And not only for that, but for making this fine and worthy trophy available to the football players of this country.
Finally, if you will permit me, I'd like to make a comment which in my mind, is indicative, perhaps, of the greater significance of football and sports emphasis in general in this country, and that is, I thank God I was warring on the gridirons of the Midwest and not on the battlefields of Europe. I can speak confidently and positively that the players of this country would much more, much rather, struggle and fight to win the Heisman award than the Croix de Guerre.
Thank you."




I would have posted the link but everytime I try I get a message stating that the mods have to approve first, but, they never seem to be posted.
 
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It's both amazing, and sad, how much better his speech is compared to today's winners.

Too bad ol' Billy Sims wasn't around in 1939 to follow-up Nile's speech with a Boomer-Sooner :eek:
 


It's both amazing, and sad, how much better his speech is compared to today's winners.

Too bad ol' Billy Sims wasn't around in 1939 to follow-up Nile's speech with a Boomer-Sooner :eek:

I think Mark Ingram was both gracious and humble. So was Sam Bradford. He wasn't the problem, his fellow Sooner was.

By and large, though, you have to give the "new" winners a pass. Most don't know they will win, and to break out a prepared speech would look rather presumptuous. The winners of the late 1970's on did not have the advantage of knowing several weeks before the presentation/dinner. Back then, they called the athletic office, notified them "their boy" was the winner, and who should pack for a trip to NYC in December and when to get there.
 


Last nite on BTN they had a show called ''Best of the Heismans''...which ranked the top ten Big Ten Heisman winners.
Nile Kinnick was ranked as the #10 Heisman winner,which is too low, but it was a nice piece on him. Showed some highlights and had Dolph and others speak of him. Showed part of his Heisman speech,and the sad end of his life.

One thing that struck me was how much the Big Ten dominated college football in that era.
10. Nile Kinnick 1939.
9. Tom Harmon-Michigan 1940
8. Smith?- Minnesota 1941- Did not catch the name but could have been smith. Anyway, he lead Minnesota to the National Title in both 1940 and 1941 and won the Heisman in 1941.

Others on the list:
Hopalong Cassady- OSU
Archie Griffin-OSU
Jay Berwanger- U. of Chicago (Dubuque native)

I went back to the baseball game after the first couple since Nile was our only candidate,but it was a nice program,and I was a bit surprised that Griffin was only like #6 on the list.
 


Did not know this prior to this thread, but did anyone else know that Nile Kinnick is on the coin that is tossed for every Big 10 game? Pretty cool.
 


Does anyone know if Nile is one of the Big Ten icons on the BTN? I thought i saw his picture in the introduction for the show...so I assumed he would be. I looked online and he wasn't from 50 to 14. Hopefully he is in the top 13. I would like to see that.
 




[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-PyhRRY-wk&feature=related]YouTube - Nile Kinnick "Hero for the Ages"[/ame]
 


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diQeoZEzis4&feature=related]YouTube - Nile Kinnick Profile.avi[/ame]
 




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