Nile Kinnick: The Iowa Ironman
Nile Kinnick represents one of the greatest and most poignant stories in all of college football history. He was the quintessential scholar-athlete: a Phi Beta Kappa student, class president, and the undisputed star of the University of Iowa's legendary 1939 "Ironmen" team.
During that magical season, Kinnick played nearly every minute of every game on offense, defense, and special teams. He had a hand in 16 of the 19 touchdowns Iowa scored all year and won the Heisman Trophy for his incredible efforts.
His humble acceptance speech, delivered on the eve of World War II, is remembered as one of the most eloquent in the trophy’s history. Kinnick left law school to enlist in the Naval Air Reserve and was tragically killed during a training flight in 1943.
His legacy is immortalized at Iowa, where the field he once dominated is now known as Kinnick Stadium. 🏈
