Alabama Crimson Tide, College Sports, Editorials, Sports, Sports Columnists
 By  J.R. Tidwell Published 
8:00 am Saturday, December 10, 2011

Trent should not win trophy

If any of you sports fans have not figured out by now, I am an Auburn fan, and rest assured, I am not a fair weather guy.
When it comes to talking about Alabama — the school — I have mixed emotions. I am pro-Alabama — the state — and pro-SEC.
But I do not want Trent Richardson to win the Heisman Trophy.
Why, you might ask? Here is why.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy is given to “the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.”
In my opinion, the winner should not only be given this consideration, but what his individual effort meant to his team.
Opponents of this argument will say, “Trent has meant a great deal to the Tide and has had an extraordinary individual effort.”
I agree.
But here lies the problem to me in giving him the award.
Alabama simply has too good a football team to crown one individual.
Take Richardson away from Alabama, and they would likely have the same number of wins this season.
Take Andrew Luck away from Stanford or Robert Griffin III away from Baylor and you would have two basement teams, not the 11-1 Cardinal and certainly not the 9-3 Bears.
I said at the start of the season to give the trophy to Luck, and I stand by that now.
The only thing that makes me rethink this is the performance put on by Griffin III.
He is an absolute beast and a one-man army if there ever was such a thing as far as football goes.
The performances of these two, and what they mean to their team as a whole, beats Richardson’s case hands-down.
Alabama fanatics want the trophy to go to “Trent” as they all call him, but I think he is third in line at best.
Hate me all you want, but I doubt many Bama fans would say the Tide would be a poor team without him. It would leave a bad taste in their mouths, and it just would not be true.

J.R. Tidwell is sports editor for The Franklin County Times. He can be reached at (256) 332-1881, ext. 31.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025