Winning a Heisman Trophy is the pinnacle of individual achievement in college football. Securing a National Championship proves a player was instrumental in leading their team to glory.
But earning a Super Bowl ring? That cements their status among the greatest to ever play the game. Only a select few have managed to accomplish all three, making them part of an elite fraternity in football history.
A rare feat achieved by only a few
Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett’s legendary career began at Pittsburgh, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 and led the Panthers to a National Championship the same year. His success continued in the NFL when he became a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys.
In Super Bowl XII, Dorsett played a key role in Dallas’ 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos, rushing for 66 yards on 15 carries. By the time he retired, he had racked up 12,739 rushing yards and 92 total touchdowns, solidifying his Hall of Fame career.
Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen’s path to football greatness started at USC, where he won a National Championship in 1978. His dominance was undeniable, and by 1981, he secured the Heisman Trophy, rushing for an astounding 2,342 yards that season.
Allen’s defining NFL moment came in Super Bowl XVIII, when he powered the Los Angeles Raiders to a 38-9 win over Washington. His 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns earned him Super Bowl MVP honors. Over his career, Allen amassed 12,243 rushing yards and 145 touchdowns, proving his elite status.
Charles Woodson
A rarity amongst in the college ranks, Woodson won his Heisman while playing on defence in 1997. His play on that side of the ball helped the Michigan Wolverines win the National Championship that same year, as he finished his NCAA career with eight interceptions and a punt return touchdown.
He had to wait before winning the Super Bowl, as he helped the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010. Woodson retired from the league with 65 career interceptions and 13 defensive touchdowns
Reggie Bush
One of the greatest players to ever grace the collegiate game, Bush won National Championships with USC in 2003 and 2004. He won the Heisman the following year thanks to 2,218 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns.
In the professional ranks, he had 34 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards in Super Bowl XLIV as he helped the New Orelans Saints to a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The most recent addition to the list
DeVonta Smith
One of the most electrifying receivers in recent memory, DeVonta Smith made history at Alabama, capturing two National Championships in 2017 and 2020. In his 2020 Heisman-winning season, he posted 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, dominating college football.
His success followed him to the NFL, where he played a crucial role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX triumph. Smith recorded 98 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, cementing his place in this elite group.
An achievement reserved for legends
Only five players-Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Reggie Bush, and DeVonta Smith-have accomplished the remarkable feat of winning the Heisman, a National Championship, and a Super Bowl. Their dominance at both the college and professional levels proves they are among football’s greatest players.
This rare accomplishment highlights the ability to not only perform individually but also contribute to championship-winning teams. While many Heisman winners go on to have successful NFL careers, only a few ever reach the pinnacle of both college and professional football.
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