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Heisman History: First Freshman Wins Top Honor

Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel takes trophy

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 8, 2012 8:14 PM CST

(AP) – Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first freshman to win college football's most prized individual award. The redshirt freshman beat out Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. A few days after turning 20, Manziel became the most inexperienced player to win the Heisman. Adrian Peterson had come closest as a freshman, finishing second to Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart in 2004.

Manziel, nicknamed "Johnny Football," broke 2010 Heisman winner Cam Netwon's Southeastern Conference record with 4,600 total yards this season, led the Aggies to a 10-2 in their first SEC season, and orchestrated an upset at No. 1 Alabama in November that stamped him as legit. Manziel is the second player from Texas A&M to win the Heisman, and first since John David Crow 1957.

Heisman Trophy finalist Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, poses with the Heisman Trophy following a news conference prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in New York.
Heisman Trophy finalist Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, poses with the Heisman Trophy following a news conference prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in New York.   (Henny Ray Abrams)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
acegammer5
Dec 10, 2012 8:29 AM CST
Anyone else find it depressing that someone with a criminal record was able to win this honor over 2 other upstanding individuals?  Pretty sure this would have been a deal breaker during John Heisman's time.
gomer99
Dec 9, 2012 2:08 PM CST
Anyone know anything about his academic achievements ?
Observer
Dec 9, 2012 7:42 AM CST
Gig 'em Aggies. This is to all the jealous pretenders that have never respected one of the great Universities in the country.

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