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Watch Lamar Jackson’s 2016 Heisman Trophy speech (Video)

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback and Heisman finalist Lamar Jackson speaks to the media during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback and Heisman finalist Lamar Jackson speaks to the media during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lamar Jackson won the 2016 Heisman Trophy and presented this speech to accept the award.

On Saturday night, the 2016 Heisman Trophy ceremony would take place. This is to give out the award for the most outstanding player from the college football season. Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Dede Westbrook, Deshaun Watson and Jabrill Peppers were announced as the finalists earlier this week and went to New York City to find out if they won the award.

Well, after much speculation, the award would go to Louisville’s Jackson, the school’s starting quarterback. Despite some focus on his final few games of the season, he would still be given the Heisman in its 82nd year. It led to an emotional moment for the sophomore quarterback as he took the stage to provide the following speech:

This award culminates a terrific 2016 season for Jackson, who looked like one of the favorites from the start of the year. He rolled over opponents early in the season, including Charlotte, Syracuse, and a trouncing of No. 2 Florida State, 63-20. This put the 19-year-old on the map and a perceived front-runner to win the award. Couple this with 3,390 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,538 rushing yards, and 21 rushing touchdowns, making for an incredible performance from Jackson throughout Louisville’s season.

There had been some thought that Jackson wouldn’t win based on his final three games of the season. This saw him have a completion percentage over 55.0 once, while turning over the ball a handful of times. It happened during losses to unranked Houston and Kentucky to close the season, so it seemingly opened the race back up. However, that wouldn’t matter after Saturday night as the future NFL Draft pick won the Heisman Trophy.

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Lamar Jackson’s Heisman speech capped off his stellar regular season, which will now see him heading into a bowl game. Then, there’s at least one more season with him at the helm of Louisville’s football team. Can he repeat in 2017?

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