Jay Berwanger

John Jay Berwanger (March 19, 1914 – June 26, 2002) was an American football player born in Dubuque, Iowa. He was the first winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1935 — at that time awarded to the best player east of the Mississippi River. Berwanger had been a star at the University of Chicago under coach Amos Alonzo Stagg.

Berwanger was also the first player drafted by the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. He chose not to turn professional and never played in the NFL.

After graduating, Berwanger was a sportswriter and later became a millionaire after founding a lucrative foam rubber business.

External links

• Heisman.com: 1935 Heisman Trophy winner
• University of Chicago News Office: Jay Berwanger obituary