Heisman Highlight: Les Horvath

Name: Les Horvath
Position: Quarterback
College: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1944 – 10th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Horvath won the Heisman in a very close competition and edged out two Army sophomore standouts…led OSU to an undefeated season by superior skills in passing, rushing, blocking, kicking, and tackling…graduated with degree in dentistry…served in Navy as dental officer and assistant football coach…played for a few years in the pro ranks…established a successful dental office while coaching when his playing years ended…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1969.

Featured Card: 1948 Bowman #41. Despite never being a professional standout, Horvath was included in the 1948 set from Bowman, several years before many of his Heisman winning peers who had to wait until the 1955 Topps All American set. There are not many copies currently available on eBay, but all of them fall right into the $20 ballpark.

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Heisman Highlight: Angelo Bertelli

Name: Angelo Bertelli
Position: Quarterback
College: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1943 – 9th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Bertelli was a master and pioneer of the T-formation…led the 1943 Notre Dame team, which is considered one of the greatest teams in college football history…swept the Heisman balloting regions…entered Marine Corps after graduation to serve in WWII…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1972.

Featured Card: 1955 Topps All American #76. Another Heisman winner that jumped from college to the armed forces, Bertelli was first featured in the legendary college set from Topps. While a few higher grade copies of the Heisman winner’s rookie card demand prices of $40-$50, quite a few can be found for around $5.

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Heisman Highlight: Frank Sinkwich

Name: Frank Sinkwich
Position: Halfback
College: Georgia Bulldogs
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1942 – 8th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Sinkwich dominated the Heisman voting and won all five regions handedly…racked up 382 yards passing and rushing in what is considered the greatest Orange Bowl performance of all time…enjoy modest success in the NFL…was one of the first college players to wear a face mask (to protect his broken jaw)…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1954.

Featured Card: 1955 Topps All American #69. Despite playing several years in the NFL, Sinkwich was not featured on a football card until the legendary 1955 set from Topps. A relatively forgotten player, Sinkwich’s only rookie card rarely tops $20 on eBay and can even be found for about $5 if a high grade is not a big concern for your collection.

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Heisman Highlight: Bruce Smith

Name: Bruce Smith
Position: Halfback
College: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1941 – 7th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Smith helped lead the way for two straight undefeated national championships at Minnesota…was one of the fastest backs in the Big 10 Conference despite his large frame…was voted the best college player in the 1941 All-Star game…received his award two days after Pearl Harbor bombing and had an air raid signaled during his speech…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1972.

Featured Card: 1948 Bowman #104. As one of the first Heisman winners to play in the NFL, Smith was included in the 1948 Bowman set. Not to be mistaken for the HOF defensive lineman, this vintage card runs in the $35 range on eBay.

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Heisman Highlight: Tom Harmon

Name: Tom Harmon
Position: Halfback
College: Michigan Wolverines
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1940 – 6th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Harmon was considered the greatest ball carrier in his day…was a prolific rusher, passer, kicker, and defender…served for four years as WWII pilot…played for L.A. Rams for two years…enjoyed a very successful broadcasting career…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1954.

Featured Card: 1955 Topps All American #35. Similar to most other college greats of the pre-war era, the legendary Topps All American set serves as Harmon’s rookie and only major card release. Prices on eBay range from $9 to $100 and are mostly dependent upon condition and grade. An average copy will fall into a $50-$70 range.

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Heisman Highlight: Nile Kinnick

Name: Nile Kinnick
Position: Halfback
College: Iowa Hawkeyes
Class: Senior
Winning Year: 1939 – 5th Award
Official Heisman Profile: Click Here

Interesting Notes: Kinnick is considered Iowa’s greatest player of all time…was a team leader in every facet of the game…gave an acceptance speech reflecting many Americans’ isolationist feelings regarding WWII…became a pilot in the Caribbean after graduating…crash landed his fighter in 1943 and disappeared forever…was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1951.

Featured Card: 1955 Topps All American #6. Never having a professional football career, Kinnick’s only true rookie card is found in this legendary college set. An eBay search shows the card can sell for anywhere from $20 to $100, with a majority having a listed price at right around $50.

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