Cam Ward has a different public take from other frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy
The hype machine for Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward is humming right now as the talented QB finds himself among the top odds to win the Heisman Trophy. The University of Miami has started a Heisman Trophy campaign for their QB, and the hype video is quite captivating. However, despite the success and the attention, […]
The hype machine for Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward is humming right now as the talented QB finds himself among the top odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
The University of Miami has started a Heisman Trophy campaign for their QB, and the hype video is quite captivating.
However, despite the success and the attention, Ward recently had a take that's very much against the norm in today's era of NIL. In an age where it's more about what's in it for me than what's in it for the team, Ward responded to a question about his Heisman candidacy with a refreshingly selfless take.
“I loved what the media team did. They showed me the stuff about a week ago, their ideas, everything they wanted to do around Miami stuff. But I mean it’s a blessing that I’m in this position, especially with the media team, creative team that we have. It’s going to continue to do good things for myself and the team.
"It’s just a blessing. It doesn’t bother me. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to make football plays to get where you want. My goal is not to be a Heisman Trophy winner. My goal is to win football games and play for a national championship. So, I’m just trying to stick to that and stick to my teammates and hopefully we get a win this week.”- Cam Ward
A mature response from a player who's caught notice this season for his fearless style and game-changing plays, but also from his quiet leadership style aside from his bold play.
Not that there's anything wrong with taking pride in being a Heisman finalist and wanting to win the award. Fellow contenders Travis Hunter of Colorado and Ashton Jeanty of Boise State had an interesting set of comments about their own candidacies recently.
Hunter noted that his two-way skills make him more special than Jeanty as a running back. Talking with Robert Griffin, III, Hunter argued his own dual threat skills and the superior amount of Jeanty make him the best player in college football.
"I don't know who is all there. You all see Ashton Jeanty, but it is not like we haven't seen a good running back that is good. We haven't seen a player that has played both ways, and I'm going to keep saying that. He had 95 carries? For 1000 yards? If I had 95 catches, how much yards do you think I'd have? If I had 95 targets on defense, what do you think I'll have? He's got double the touches I've got on the offensive side of the ball and I still have defensive stats that's still crazy." – Travis Hunter
However, Jeanty – while recognizing the special season Hunter is having, pointed to the rarity of his season among running backs as a reason he should be the frontrunner for the award.
"For me, what I've been doing hasn't been done in 36, 37 years, so that's something special. If I keep that up and break a record that's been around for 36 years, I feel like you can't really compete with that.
"He is balling, but I just feel like what I'm doing is just too special. I watch Travis. I watch his games. Incredible player. I've never seen people do what he's doing, but I know myself, I know my talent. I feel like I'm the best player in college football." – Ashton Jeanty
It's perfectly fine for a player to campaign for himself. With the emergence of social media, there are a ton of ways for players, their representatives, and their schools to get their names and accomplishments out there and sway voters. Miami is even doing that for Ward.
However, college football is a team sport, and the focus should be on the thing that matters the most in the sport – winning. Right now, Miami has a chance to have a special season, with a strong look at its first-ever ACC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance.
That's what matters to Ward. And that team-first attitude is no small reason why the Hurricanes are where almost every other team wishes it was as November gets underway: undefeated and in the top five.
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