The Heisman curse: A longstanding superstition in the NFL

The Heisman curse is a longstanding superstition in the NFL. It's probably the most popular and widely believed superstition in American sports. The Heisman curse suggests winning the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in college football, could lead to a downturn in a player's career in the NFL.

Heisman Trophy winners are celebrated across the country and are lauded for their athleticism, hard work, and determination on the field. However, the belief of many fans is that they are doomed to suffer failures and not live up to expectations when they start their professional careers in the NFL.

Origin of the Heisman curse

The curse can be traced back to the disappointing career of John Huarte, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1964. Several players who had successful careers in their college days have followed in Huarte's footsteps. They struggled to replicate their college success in the NFL. This includes Matt Leinart, Andre Ware, Jason White, Rashaan Salaam, Eric Crouch, and a host of others.

While there is no empirical evidence to back up the reality of the Heisman curse, it is widely accepted to be real by fans and even analysts. The continued failures of the winners of the award on the professional stage have given some credence to the superstition.

Why Heisman winners stumble as professionals

The pressure placed on the winners immediately after they lay their hands on the trophy is a crucial factor in their failure in the NFL. Award winners are instantly seen by the media and fans as the face of their program and are expected to lead their team to success. The added pressure often makes it difficult for them to perform at the same level when they get to the NFL.

Another explanation could be that the winners come from dominant college programs competing in the NCAAF's top division. Playing for top teams, there is a possibility of inflated statistics that could mask their weaknesses. This could effectively affect their level of play when they get to the much tougher and more competitive NFL.

Not all Heisman winners fail on the professional stage

Despite the high number of Heisman winners not living up to expectations on the professional stage, some winners have gone on to have successful NFL careers. In fact, seven Heisman winners have gone on to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. This includes Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton. Four other winners have gone on to win the Super Bowl.

Ultimately, there are a lot of factors that can influence a player's success in the NFL. These include injuries, coaching, and possibly team dynamics. In essence, winning the Heisman Trophy is not a predictor of a player's success or failure in the NFL.