To the surprise of virtually no one, Ohio State University quarterback Troy Smith was the runaway winner of the 2006 Heisman Trophy, honoring college football’s best player, awarded at a ceremony in New York Saturday night.
Smith received 801 first-place votes and won the Heisman by 1,662 points — both the second-best marks in the 71-year history of the award.
Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (878) finished second, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn (782) was third and West Virginia running back Steve Slaton (214) was fourth.
Only O.J. Simpson’s 1,750-point victory in 1968 was more lopsided than Smith’s.
The 22-year-old Smith is the sixth player from Ohio State to win the Heisman and first since tailback Eddie George in 1995. And it’s the school’s seventh Heisman — Archie Griffin won two in 1974-75 — tying Notre Dame and Southern California for the most.
Meanwhile, Miami HEAT guard Dwyane Wade has been chosen as the 2006 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, for symbolizing in character and performance the ideals of sportsmanship. Wade, who captured the 2006 NBA Finals MVP after averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.67 steals in the six-game series against the Dallas Mavericks, helped the Miami HEAT earn their first NBA Championship.
The Sportsman of the Year issue hit newsstands last Wednesday, December 6. Wade will receive the award in New York this Thursday night, December 14.