The story behind the Heisman Trophy
CBS America · Just In
CBS America
Just In
In modern language, to give someone the Heisman is to reject them and brush them off completely. The phrase originates from the Heisman Trophy, whose figure forever stiff-arms an invisible defender. But there's a much more fitting history for the term.
Breakdown
- The phrase 'to give someone the Heisman' refers to rejection and comes from the Heisman Trophy's pose.
- John Heisman coached Georgia Tech in a 222-0 victory over Cumberland College, the biggest blowout in college football history. 19s
- The lopsided game was reportedly motivated by revenge after Cumberland's baseball team had previously defeated Georgia Tech. 45s
- Cumberland assembled a makeshift team to avoid a forfeit fee, resulting in a highly uneven contest. 1m 12s
- Heisman refused to let up during the game, leading to the term 'gave them the Heisman.' 2m 11s