Sunday, December 10, 2006

"The Heisman jinx"

I'm not one for superstitions or "jinxes." When some CBS broadcaster says that a team or player is "jinxed" I throw my hands up in the air, thinking to myself, "Don't you have anything else to talk about?"

But, unfortunately, there are some patterns in sports that simply cannot be ignored. They are too conspicuous to wave off with your right hand. The "Sports Illustrated" cover jinx is probably the most well-known jinx in sports. Each year several athletes and teams are victimized by it. Every time I see one of my teams grace the cover - such as the Detroit Tigers this past August - I wince, because I know that their fate is likely decided (and, sure enough, although the Tigers fought the jinx about as well as one can, they eventually succumbed to it in the World Series).

The only time a team is safe on the SI cover is when it is a championship cover.

A sports jinx starting to pick up momentum is the Madden Jinx. In recent years, every player featured on the front of the video game box has suffered an injury, with the most severe being Michael Vick missing most of the 2004 season after being featured. If I was LaDanian Tomlinson and I was offered a spot on the 2008 cover (as he should be), there's no way I'd accept it.

Way too big of a risk.

Those are the most renowned jinxes. But, after watching Troy Smith easily walk away with the Heisman Trophy Saturday night, I was reminded of another jinx not as popular as the others, but still out there.

The "non-USC Heisman Jinx."

The past 14 years, 11 of the Heisman Trophy winners have gone on to have subpar careers in the NFL or not even make it to the league. The only three players who seem to be doing all right are USC alums: Carson Palmer (2002); Matt Leinart (2004); and Reggie Bush (2005) - and these guys are still young. A lot can still go wrong with them.

But check out how the other 11 have fared.

1992 winner Gino Torretta (Miami): Was just a seventh-round pick in the 1993 draft; didn't play at all in '94 or '95; threw one touchdown pass for Seattle in 1996; retired in 1997.

1993 winner Charlie Ward (Florida State): Was not selected in the NFL draft, so instead played in the NBA for several seasons, even making the 1998 All-Star team.

1994 winner Rashaan Salaam (Colorado): As a rookie with the Bears rushed for over 1,000 yards, but didn't do a thing after that; played in the ill-fated XFL.

1995 winner Eddie George (Ohio State): Easily the most accomplished of these "jinxed" players, having played in four Pro Bowls, however wore down over the years and was out of football after 2004.

1996 winner Danny Wuerffel (Florida): Played seven seasons for four teams, never putting together a good season; highlight of his professional career was winning the MVP in World Bowl 2000 as a member of the Rhein Fire.

1997 winner Charles Woodson (Michigan): One of the most overrated and overpaid players in the NFL. Has also had off-the-field issues.

1998 winner Ricky Williams (Texas): We're all familiar with this guy's story. Talent has never been the issue with him; it's a motivational thing. Or maybe he's always felt the weight of the jinx bearing down on him.

1999 winner Ron Dayne (Wisconsin): Rushing numbers have decreased nearly every season, with best year coming in 2000 (770 yards); mostly just used as a short-yardage back.

2000 winner Chris Weinke (Florida State): Well, he did throw for 423 yards yesterday as Carolina's backup in a loss to the Giants, but that's probably the highlight of his career - not a good thing. Has played in 10 games since his rookie season.

2001 winner Eric Crouch (Nebraska): He is the fourth-string quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL; that's all you need to know.

2003 winner Jason White (Oklahoma): Wasn't drafted and was eventually signed by the Tennessee Titans before quitting (citing a knee injury); is already out of football.

So, there you have it. A crop of 11 highly successful college players who basically became duds in the NFL. The Heisman Trophy means about as much as a smooch on the cheek when it comes to being successful in the NFL.

Which is why, the question must be asked: Does Troy Smith have a chance at side-stepping this jinx?

First of all, it must be noted that Smith is not a normal Heisman winner. He won the trophy by the second largest margin ever, behind O.J. Simpson in 1968 (which brings about a completely different jinx - but that's for later). He received the highest percentage of first-place votes ever (86.7 percent) - and this award has been around since 1935.

Impressive.

But all of that will mean nothing come April. The herds of NFL scouts won't give a hoot what Smith accomplished in college. They'll only care about his arm strength, and his speed, and his ability to stand in the pocket and take the hit. They'll question his height (6-foot-1), they'll question other things. And the hardware he now owns will be quickly placed in the back of the china cabinet.

I personally think Smith has what it takes to be successful in the league. I think he will be doubted just like Vince Young was this year (look how nicely Young's progressing). I think he'll overcome the odds, just like he did at Ohio State.

But would I put money on it? No way, Jose. As many of us have learned, it's never a good thing to bet against these sports jinxes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Alright there is definetly a jinx going on but i still have a few problems with your post. For one Reggie Bush is still just a rookie and didn't play that well this year. Same thing with Matt Leinart he was just ok. Plus how could you say Eddie George was another Heisman jinx Eddie had a great career with 4 pro bowls and Canton like numbers. Another one may suprise you and it's Charles Woodson personally I don't really like the guy but he had 9 interceptions this last year for the Packers and he's gone to multiple pro bowls. Charles WAS overated and overpayed emphasize WAS but this year I think he proved he was good enough to get that kind of money and was generally underated. So don't say those two have had crappy careers because they haven't. Infact just as many high profile early first round picks shaped up to be total duds as well so you can't actually say it's a jinx at all it's just the way the cookie crumbles.