Louisville QB Declines Heisman Campaign
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Former Miami Northwestern High School star Teddy Bridgewater will enter the 2013 season at Louisville as a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy. But, Bridgewater isn't worried about a chase for the trophy.
According to WDRB.com in Louisville, Bridgewater has asked that the school not put together a Heisman Trophy campaign for him. Why would Bridgewater want to do this? He said any emphasis or publicity should include the team as a whole, according to WDRB.com.
The move will likely only enhance Bridgewater's credentials among the Heisman voters. Many schools have mounted what turned out to be embarrassing Heisman campaigns for players and even players themselves have put together material to push their Heisman candidacy.
But Bridgewater giving the proverbial stiff-arm to the school engaging in Heisman-hoopla to bring more recognition to the team and his teammates only enhances Bridgewater's leadership qualities.
In 2012, Bridgewater led Louisville's high-powered offense to a 12-2 record that included a victory in the Allstate Sugar Bowl over the Florida Gators. Bridgewater threw for 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while completing 68.5 percent of his passes.
He's listed by heismanpundit.com as one of the top 30 players that could win the Heisman. But it's not just the Heisman that will fuel the hype around Bridgewater.
He's currently viewed by some NFL analysts as the top overall quarterback in the country for next year's NFL Draft. Bridgewater is currently ranked second on Mel Kiper's Big Board behind only South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, according to WDRB.com.
