Way Back Wednesday: Johnny Majors, Tennessee's biggest Heisman snub
The Heisman Trophy is one that has a bitter history with the University of Tennessee. The most publicized moment between the most prestigious individual award in college athletics and the Big Orange took place in December 1997, when Michigan CB Charles Woodson was named the winner over Peyton Manning. The award hasn't sat well with […]
The Heisman Trophy is one that has a bitter history with the University of Tennessee. The most publicized moment between the most prestigious individual award in college athletics and the Big Orange took place in December 1997, when Michigan CB Charles Woodson was named the winner over Peyton Manning.
The award hasn't sat well with many folks in the Volunteer state since that day. It didn't help that Hendon Hooker wasn't give due credit for his amazing season last year with an invitation to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
But, while annoying and subjectively unfair to Tennessee faithful, there has been a worse Heisman snub in Tennessee history. Objectively wrong. Way, way worse. And it was at the expense of a name that most Volunteer fans over the age of 30 will immediately recognize.
Johnny Majors was one of the most revered coaches in Tennessee history. However, before that, he was the star single-wing back of Bowden Wyatt's 1956 Tennessee team, effectively the team's quarterback. He led the team with 549 rushing yards on 108 carries for 7 touchdowns. He also completed 61 percent of his passes for 552 yards and 5 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. The Vols had a perfect 10-0 regular season record on the way to a #2 overall ranking.
Majors was a Heisman finalist and should have been a shoe in for the award. However, Notre Dame's Paul Hornung inexplicably won a close vote 1066 to 994. Hornung's Irish squad finished 2-8 in the regular season. Hornung completed 53 percent of his passes for 917 yards with 3 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. The Irish were terrible, and Hornung wasn't much better – at least statistically. But his name and the color of his helmet were enough to steal the award from Majors.
The Heisman Trophy would have been an incredible accomplishment to add to Majors' trophy case. However, a College Football Hall of Fame induction, a storied coaching career with a national championship and three SEC titles, and the love and admiration of fans from the Universities of Pittsburgh and Tennessee followed for Majors, who passed away in 2020.
That all makes a 45-pound bronze statue seem pretty small.
Featured images via Mike DuBose / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK and Delores Delvin / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK