On this day in 1939 Nile Kinnick a halfback from Iowa won the 5th Heisman Trophy. Kinnick threw for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 31 passes. He ran for 374 yards. He was involved with 16 of the  19 that Iowa scored that year. He played 402 of a possible 420 minutes that season. He set Iowa school records, six of which still stand.

Nile Kinnick’s Heisman Speech

“His Heisman Trophy acceptance speech is remembered as one of the most eloquent and moving ever. The speech is below.

Thank you very, very kindly, Mr. Holcomb. It seems to me that everyone is letting their superlatives run away with them this evening, but nonetheless, I want you to know that I’m mighty, mighty happy to accept this trophy this evening.

Every football player in these United States dreams about winning that trophy, and of this fine trip to New York. Every player considers that trophy the acme in recognition of this kind. And the fact that I am actually receiving this trophy tonight almost overwhelms me, and I know that all those boys who have gone before me must have felt somewhat the same way.

From my own personal viewpoint, I consider my winning this award as indirectly a great tribute to the new coaching staff at the University of Iowa headed by Dr. Eddie Anderson, and to my teammates sitting back in Iowa City. A finer man and a better coach never hit these United States, and a finer bunch of boys and a more courageous bunch of boys never graced the gridirons of the Midwest than that Iowa team in 1939. I wish that they might all be with me tonight to receive this trophy. They certainly deserve it.

I want to take this grand opportunity to thank collectively all the sportswriters, and all the sportscasters, and all those who have seen fit, have seen their way clear to cast a ballot in my favor for this trophy. And I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Prince and his committee, the Heisman award committee, and all those connected with the Downtown Athletic Club for this trophy, and for the fine time that they’re showing me. And not only for that, but for making this fine and worthy trophy available to the football players of this country.

Finally, if you will permit me, I’d like to make a comment which in my mind, is indicative, perhaps, of the greater significance of football and sports emphasis in general in this country, and that is, I thank God I was warring on the gridirons of the Midwest and not on the battlefields of Europe. I can speak confidently and positively that the players of this country would much more, much rather, struggle and fight to win the Heisman award than the Croix de Guerre..

Thank you.”

Nile Kinnick rejected an offer to play in the NFL. He went to law school instead. He quit law school after one year and enlisted in the Naval Air Reserve. He reported for induction 3 days before Pearl Harbor.
He wrote, “There is no reason in the world why we shouldn’t
fight for the preservation of a chance to live freely, no reason why we
shouldn’t suffer to uphold that which we want to endure. May God give me the
courage to do my duty and not falter.” Later, he added, “Every man whom I’ve
admired in history has willingly and courageously served in his country’s armed
forces in times of danger. It is not only a duty but an honor to follow their
example the best I know how. May God give me the courage and ability to so
conduct myself in every situation that my country, my family, and my friends
will be proud of me.

Nile Kinnick was training to be a fighter pilot. He was killed in a training flight accident on June 2, 1943. He was 24 years old. The football stadium at the University of Iowa is named in his honor.

To this day before every Big Ten Conference game the coin toss features a coin with Kinnick on the heads side.

College Football News has Kinnick as the 9th greatest college football player of all time.