There is a story on ESPN that Johnny Manziel took cash payments while he was at TAMU by selling items of autographed memorabilia. Manziel conveniently claims he never took any cash until after he won the Heisman, but who knows whether to believe him. Here is the story: https://www.espn.com/college-footba...exas-never-took-dollar-winning-heisman-trophy
Recall that Manti finished second to Manziel for the 2012 Heisman Trophy. Let's suppose the Downtown Athletic Club decides to investigate Manziel's actions, and after finding evidence that Manziel accepted cash payments before he won the Heisman, they decide to strip him of the award, as they previously did with Reggie Bush. Is the Heisman award merely vacated for 2012, or does it get awarded to Manti? I believe the 2005 Heisman Tropy (the year Bush won it) is officially listed as vacated, but I have also read that the trophy was first offered to Vince Young (the runner-up finisher that year), and he turned it down. If the Heisman was offered to Manti, should he accept it?
I know there are a lot of "what ifs" here, but the message board seems a little slow these days, and just curious what others think. Personally I think Manziel should keep the trophy, even if it is tainted, but maybe others feel differently. I think it is a slippery slope when you start taking trophies away based upon misconduct that is discovered later. Barry Bonds won 7 MVP awards, and there is no doubt he was playing juiced during at least a few of those years. On the other hand, I don't see Bonds getting voted into the HOF anytime soon, so maybe that is the price he pays.
Recall that Manti finished second to Manziel for the 2012 Heisman Trophy. Let's suppose the Downtown Athletic Club decides to investigate Manziel's actions, and after finding evidence that Manziel accepted cash payments before he won the Heisman, they decide to strip him of the award, as they previously did with Reggie Bush. Is the Heisman award merely vacated for 2012, or does it get awarded to Manti? I believe the 2005 Heisman Tropy (the year Bush won it) is officially listed as vacated, but I have also read that the trophy was first offered to Vince Young (the runner-up finisher that year), and he turned it down. If the Heisman was offered to Manti, should he accept it?
I know there are a lot of "what ifs" here, but the message board seems a little slow these days, and just curious what others think. Personally I think Manziel should keep the trophy, even if it is tainted, but maybe others feel differently. I think it is a slippery slope when you start taking trophies away based upon misconduct that is discovered later. Barry Bonds won 7 MVP awards, and there is no doubt he was playing juiced during at least a few of those years. On the other hand, I don't see Bonds getting voted into the HOF anytime soon, so maybe that is the price he pays.