Heisman Trophy Watch: Why Winning Will Be a Joke, Not an Honor

Saturday will be the best day in the life of one college football player, because their name will forever sit alongside some of the greats in the history of the game as a Heisman Trophy winner. But the voting for the award really takes away from just how special the honor actually is. 

We all have our opinions about who should win the award. Names like Andrew Luck, Tyrann Mathieu, Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Robert Griffin III, Matt Barkley and Montee Ball will get thrown around a lot this week, and certainly they are the most high-profile players in the country. 

When you really look at overall performance and who was the best player in the country from start to finish, it is impossible not to give the award to Griffin III. 

I am not sure when it happened, but at some point the common consensus came to be that the award has to go to the best player on the best team or at least a team playing in one of the big bowl games. 

There has even been a website—HeismanPundit.com—dedicated to analyzing the politics involved in determining a winner. The site even has a list of 10 Heismandments that a player must meet in order to have a shot.

That is a sad decree on where things are with the voters in college football today, but it is not one that is entirely surprising considering the small little group that controls everything in this sport. 

According to the official Heisman Trophy mission statement, the winner only has to be the best player in the country who exhibits himself with integrity. 

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The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. 

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Following the actual criteria of the award, there is no doubt that Griffin III is going to win the award. The sentiment seems to be shifting in his direction, but it almost seems like there are people who want to find a reason not to vote for him because he plays at Baylor. 

If the school affiliation is the reason that you are not voting for a player who, from start to finish, constantly proved himself to be the best player in the country, then this award is worth less than the paper that the votes are written on.