WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE Heisman Issue TheMONDAY | DECEMBER 12,Baylor 2011 www.baylorlariat.comLariat Vol. 112 No. 52 © 2011, Baylor University “Everybody associated with Baylor University has reason to celebrate tonight.” “No pressure, no diamonds. We compete, we win. We are Baylor.” “This is a forever kind of moment, and may we be blessed to have many more like it in the future.” IT’S OURS! Gri n III sti -arms preconceptions, brings Baylor rst Heisman B T A hug his parents, his sister and his ancée, Gri n joins a group, known as the and shaping him. during what proved to be the game-win- S E before nally walking on stage to accept “Heisman fraternity,” that includes some For weeks now, members of the media ning eld goal drive. the trophy. of the greatest names in football history. have been placing doubt in Gri n’s ability In what has come to be known as Junior quarterback Robert Gri n III “ is moment right here is unbeliev- “It’s paramount, but it’s not just me,” to win the Heisman, including one memo- Gri n’s Heisman moment, he threw for approached the Heisman ceremony as he ably believable,” Gri n said to begin his Gri n said. “Baylor is always forever in rable quote from Kirk Herbstreit who said, 479 yards and four touchdowns against has approached all media events this se- acceptance speech. “It’s unbelievable be- this fraternity as well. We had nobody “He’s from Baylor. He’s not going to win then-No. 5 Oklahoma, including the mester, with an air of dignity, glory to God cause in the moment, we’re all amazed hanging up, but now we at least have one. the Heisman.” Gri n was asked if he had game-winning, 34-yard touchdown pass and a sense of humor. when great things happen. It’s believ- And hopefully we’ll have more in the fu- the last laugh. to junior receiver Terrance Williams with Even on the national stage, standing able because great things don’t happen ture. To be a part of these guys behind “We’re still trying to laugh some eight seconds le . next to Stanford quarterback Andrew without hard work. e great coach Art me, be a part of greatness, you can’t ask more,” he responded. “ ey told Tyrann On the season, Gri n completed 74 Luck, he pulled up his pants legs and Briles always says great things only come for more. Not only are they great football he couldn’t play, and look at him at LSU percent of his throws for 3,998 passing showed o a pair of red and blue Super- with great e ort. We’ve certainly worked players, but they’re great people.” doing great things. ey told me I couldn’t yards with 36 touchdowns and just six man socks complete with capes on the for this. at’s why everybody associated Gri n’s high school football coach, play quarterback, and I’m at Baylor doing interceptions, earning him the Davey back side. with Baylor University has a reason to head coach Jack Welch of Copperas Cove the best job I possibly can. ey might O’Brien Award for best collegiate quar- “Well, now that my socks are out there celebrate tonight.” High School, said he was very emotional say it couldn’t happen at Baylor, but that’s terback in the nation. He also ran for 644 I got nothing to lose, right?” he said to get Gri n received 1,687 points, beating following the announcement. why it’s college football, and that’s why we yards and nine touchdowns this season. some laughs from the audience. out Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck “I actually cried. Tears of joy,” Welch play every Saturday.” Gri n was also named the Big 12 Of- When the announcement nally came (1407), Alabama running back Trent said. “It’s like a dream come true. ese Gri n rst gained national Heisman fensive Player of the Year by the Associ- that Baylor had just earned its rst Heis- Richardson, Wisconsin running back things just don’t happen. It’s Robert’s vic- attention a er Baylor’s opening game ated Press. man trophy in history, and while Bears Montee Ball and LSU cornerback Tyrann tory, but it’s also a victory for the area, our of the season, when the Bears defeated Welch said he’s very proud of Gri n everywhere roared with ecstasy and Mathieu. school Baylor.” then-No. 14 TCU in a dramatic 50-48 and he texts him all the time. What did chanted “R-G-3,” Gri n shook hands “It was so well-deserved by Robert Welch said Gri n has matured very game. Gri n opened the year with 359 Welch text him a er the Heisman an- with the other candidates and his head Gri n,” Luck said. “It was very hard to well as a football player, and Briles and passing yards, ve touchdown passes and nouncement? coach, Art Briles. He then walked back to be upset.” his sta have done a great job grooming a big third-down reception on a trick play “I texted him, ‘Praise God.’” Newspaper of the Year | Texas APME TheLariat Best Student Newspaper | Houston Press Club MONDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2011 | the Heisman Issue 2 Baylor Lariat www.baylorlariat.com The tale of May 17, 2008 Griffin wins the Big 12 400-meter hurdle race at the conference meet after graduating Copperas Cove one semester early. MATT HELLMAN | LARIAT PHOTO EDITOR Ten moments that helped shape Above: Robert Griffin III joins fans for a postgame interview after the Bears upsetTCU, 50-48, on Sept. 2. Robert Griffin III’s career, plus Middle: Griffin III evades a tackler in the Bears’ 48-24 win over Texas. Aug. 28, 2008 Lower left: With eight seconds left in the game, Griffin launches a pass to receiver Terrance Williams. images to remember from Williams hauls it in for a touchdown, and Baylor beats then-No.5 Oklahoma, 45-38. In the Bears’ season opener against No. 23 Baylor’s historic 2011 season Lower right: Griffin III hurdles a defender in Baylor’s 42-39 victory against Missouri at Homecoming. Wake Forest, coach Art Briles replaces starting quarterback Kirby Freeman with Griffin. Griffin breaks a 22-yard run, during which he fakes out a defender and dodges the tackle, and makes national highlights despite the Bears losing 41-13. Nov. 15, 2008 Fans receive a breath of fresh air when Griffin helps Baylor rout Texas A&M 41- 21 to snap the Bears’ four-game losing streak and keep the team from finishing the Big 12 in last place. Griffin throws two touchdowns and rushes for 56 yards. MATT HELLMAN | LARIAT PHOTO EDITOR Sept. 27, 2009 It is revealed Griffin has a season-ending ACL injury suffered in Baylor’s 68-13 win over Northwestern State. Under replacement Nick Florence, the Bears finish the season 4-8. Oct. 23, 2010 Griffin throws for 404 yards and four touchdowns as Baylor beats Kansas State and becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. MEAGAN DOWNING | LARIAT PHOTOGRAPHER MATT HELLMAN | LARIAT PHOTO EDITOR Sept. 2, 2011 Nov. 19, 2011 Dec. 3, 2011 Dec. 4, 2011 Dec. 10, 2011 A national ESPN Pandemonium strikes Griffin makes his final At 9-3 on the season, Griffin becomes the audience watches Floyd Casey Stadium case for the Heisman, Baylor accepts an first Heisman trophy Baylor drive down the following Griffin’s throwing for 359 yards invitation to play winner in the history field, aided by a trick game-winning and two touchdowns in the 2011 Valero of Baylor University. play in which Griffin touchdown pass to in Baylor’s 48-24 Alamo Bowl in San “The hotter the heat, catches a Kendall Terrance Williams win over Texas. The Antonio against the the harder the steel. No Wright pass, and against No. 5 victory is the Bears’ Pac 12’s Washington pressure, no diamonds. score to upset No. 14 Oklahoma. The Bears’ fifth straight and Huskies. “It’s in Texas, We compete, we win. TCU 50-48. Griffin 45-38 shocker is keeps them unbeaten our fans will travel We are Baylor,” Griffin records five passing broadcast nationally at Floyd Casey really well and we are says in his acceptance touchdowns. on ABC. Stadium in 2011. excited,” Griffin says. speech. MONDAY | DECEMBER 12, 2011 www.baylorlariat.com Heisman Issue the Baylor Lariat |3 Students of all years celebrate Heisman win By Krista Pirtle Baylor football was done for .” Sports Writer For the seniors, their first sea- son brought small slices of heaven Faith: something that holds as Briles entered his first season the promise of a better tomorrow. and Griffin overtook then junior Something shown by Heisman quarterback Blake Syzmanski for Trophy winner Robert Griffin III the starting job. and the reality of the tomorrow “Freshman year, we were just promised by head coach Art Briles excited that Baylor had a new foot- when he came to Baylor in 2008. ball coach and a new quarterback,” In its first 12 seasons in the Big Tomball senior Ryan Anderson 12 conference, Baylor won a total said. “Being a first generation Bay- of 11 conference games. lor Bear, I didn’t know much about The year before Griffin came to the football history here pre-RG3, Baylor, 2007, the Bears were 3-9 but from what I heard, there wasn’t with no conference wins.