John Heisman: The Game's Great Innovator
While millions know his name from the iconic trophy awarded to college football's most outstanding player, John Heisman was a brilliant and restless innovator who helped shape the modern game. Coaching at numerous schools, including Georgia Tech, Auburn, and Clemson, his impact on the rules and tactics of the sport is a vital piece of college football history.
Heisman was a leading advocate for legalizing the forward pass and one of the first to build plays around it. He is also credited with creating the vocal snap count, where the quarterback's "hike!" command ensures a unified start to the play.
He even coached the most lopsided game in history, a 222-0 Georgia Tech victory in 1916. Far more than just a namesake, Heisman was a tactical genius whose contributions are fundamental to how the game is played, cementing his unique legacy in college football history. 🏈
