25 best NFL careers from Heisman Trophy winners

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Quarterback Cam Newton of the Auburn University Tigers speaks after being named the 76th Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner at the Best Buy Theater on December 11, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: Photographer approval needed for all Commercial License requests. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images for The Heisman) /

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BALTIMORE – DECEMBER 27: Alan Ameche #35 of the Baltimore Colts carries the ball against the New York Giants during the 1959 NFL Championship game at Memorial Stadium on December 27, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

19. Alan Ameche, FB, Wisconsin (1954)

Alan Ameche is likely an answer to a great Heisman trivia question of players that have won the award without scoring a single touchdown. While with the Wisconsin Badgers in the 1954 season, though, that’s what the fullback/running back accomplished. However, he was still productive despite not finding the end zone, amassing 641 yards on 146 carries for the year.

His prowess as a runner allowed the former Badger to be selected with the third pick in the 1955 NFL Draft, taken by the Baltimore Colts. Ameche made an impact right away upon joining the Colts, as well. As a rookie, he ran the ball 213 times for 961 yards and nine touchdowns, along with garnering 141 receiving yards. That effort earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and the first of four-straight Pro Bowl nominations.

From 1955-59, Ameche played in 60 games and continued to prove to be a force running the ball. He took 884 carries for 3,782 yards in total, scoring 37 touchdowns as well. Moreover, Ameche also caught 94 balls for 677 yards and four touchdowns over that same span. Most famously, the Wisconsin product also scored one of the most famous touchdowns in NFL history, winning the 1958 NFL Championship Game over the Colts with his rushing touchdown.

Ameche suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 1960 season that, with the medical technology at the time, ended his career, cutting it short. Had that not been the case, he would’ve been higher on this list. Even still, his production in the years he did play can’t be ignored.

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