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Jay Berwanger has his name in the history books for many reasons. He's the first player to win the Heisman Trophy, the first player drafted in the NFL, and on one play, he left a future President of the United States with a permanent scar on his eye.
Berwanger was a one-man army during his college days at the University of Chicago, as he was a decathlete who starred in wrestling and track and field. And since his scholarship only covered $300 a year, Berwanger had to work part-time as a waiter at his fraternity, fixed elevators and toilets, and cleaned different gymnasiums.
His football career was unaffected though. He played on both sides of the ball, called the team's offense and defense, and even played on special teams too. In fact, as per the University of Chicago Department of Athletics & Recreation, Berwanger rushed for 577 yards, passed for 405, returned kickoffs for 359 yards, scored six touchdowns, and kicked five extra points for 41 points in the 1935 season.
Having done all of that, it was no surprise Berwanger got a telegram informing him he had won the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, now known as the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football.
Most epic play of Jay Berwanger's career
Not too many people can say they got tackled by a future President of the United States, or that he left the POTUS with a permanent scar. In the second quarter of a game with the University of Chicago against the University of Michigan, Berwanger rushed the ball only to be tackled by Gerald Ford, who would eventually go on to be the 38th President of the United States of America.
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“When I tackled Jay in the second quarter, I ended up with a bloody cut and I still have the scar to prove it,” Ford recalled. He also added that Berwanger was one of the greatest athletes he's ever known.
Berwanger's versatility garnered the attention of several NFL teams, leading him to be selected first overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1936 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, due to his salary demands of $1,000 a game, the Eagles immediately shipped him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for offensive tackle Art Buss.
When he got to the Bears, the same problem occurred. Berwanger requested a $15,000 salary, but the Bears final offer was firm at $13,500. A disagreement of $1,500 caused the deal to fall through, and Berwanger never played football ever again. Instead, he worked for a rubber company based in Chicago, worked as a sportswriter, and coached his football team's alma mater.
Heisman Winner Got TACKLED By A President!? 💪 I Clutch #Shorts – YouTube
