A Little Deviance

So I’m really not supposed to write about the NFL. It’s an inferior environment and outside my expertise. I don’t think I’ve watched a full game since the Giants beat the Patriots in the best Super Bowl ever. Really, the fact that that game was so incredible and will most likely never be topped has put a severe damper on my ability to sit through an entire pro game. But that does not account for the fact before that, I probably hadn’t seen a complete game in a couple seasons, not since I’d been using Sundays as remedial classes in my first years as a football fan.

Nonetheless, this article somewhat bridges the gap between the collegiate and pro athlete. The upcoming Super Bowl, in which I have a passing interest because I hate the Saints and basically like the Colts, will pit two smart cookies against each other. Betraying the meathead stereotype, both Peyton Manning and Drew Brees were recognized for their scholastic achievement in their college days by earning the National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award. Only one college football player can win the Trophy each year, and that one player can come from Division I-A, I-AA, II, III, or NAIA. In other words, it’s not a popularity contest, like the Heisman. This one actually means something.

So I’m psyched that the cerebral aspects of the game will be highlighted during the upcoming game. But I also want to take note of this: including Manning and Brees, five NFFNSAA winners have quarterbacked in a Super Bowl. The SEC formed two of them, more than any other conference. Those institutions? Tennessee and Mississippi.

Furthermore, there have been nineteen recipients since the rechristening of the Draddy Trophy to the William V. Campbell Trophy. Seven hail from the SEC, more than any other conference; the Big XII has graduated the next highest number at a paltry three.

Further-furthermore, only three schools produced more than one winner: Nebraska, Florida, and Tennessee.

Talk about breaking down stereotypes.