The Heisman Memorial Trophy is college football’s highest honor given to the most outstanding college football player of each season. The award is named after John William Heisman, a Cleveland OH native who helped make the game of football what it is today. The first trophy was awarded to Jay Berwanger in 1935. In December 2004, the Heisman celebrated its 70th anniversary at the exclusive Heisman Dinner. Alan Ameche, one of seven Italian Americans to win the trophy, was posthu-mously honored at the dinner on his 50th Heisman Trophy anniversary.

Alan “Iron Horse” Ameche won his 1954 Heisman Trophy as a senior at the University of Wisconsin. He scored more points and touchdowns than any other player in the school’s history. After his college career, the stampeding fullback went on to play for the Baltimore Colts as their first-round draft pick. During his first NFL game play, which took place against the Chicago Bears in September 1955, Ameche galloped for a 79-yard touchdown. Later that year, he was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year. But he didn’t stop there. Ameche scored the Colts’ winning touchdown in the first overtime game in NFL Championship history against the New York Giants in December 1958. Born on June 1, 1933, he was elected into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1975.

Before Alan Ameche won the Heisman, one other Italian American had the honor. Born in West Springfield MA in June 1921, Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame quarterback, was named an All-American and Heisman Trophy winner in 1943. During that season, Bertelli only played six games for the Fighting Irish until he was drafted into the Marine Corps. In 1946, he went back to play football with both the Los Angeles Dons and the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference. Bertelli was named into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1972.

Joseph Bellino was born on March 13, 1938. He became Navy’s starting halfback, and won the 26 th Heisman Trophy in 1960. The 5’9” 180-pound Winchester MA native joined the AFL’s Boston Patriots in 1965. He was drafted by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, but he decided to retire from football instead of moving his family from the Boston area. Today, Bellino is the Director of National Accounts for ADESA Boston and also the Director of the Northern Bank and Trust Company. He served over twenty-eight years in the Navy, and holds the rank of Captain, USNR (Ret.). He was elected into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1977, and presently resides in the Boston area with his wife, Ann. They have two children, Therese and John.

In 1967, 21 year-old Gary Beban, UCLA’s starting quarterback, won the 33 rd Heisman Trophy. He was the Los Angeles Rams’ first-round draft pick in 1968, and then traded to the Washington Redskins due to salary disputes. After retiring from his football career in 1970, Beban joined the real estate organization, CB Commercial, and eventually became president of the company. He was elected into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1988. Beban currently resides in Northbrook IL with his wife Kathleen.

Pennsylvania native, John Capelletti, was born on August 9, 1952. The Penn State running back was a consensus All-American, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1973 as a senior. During his acceptance speech, Capelletti dedicated his award to his brother Joey, who was a victim of Leukemia. In 1974, he joined the Los Angeles Rams and stayed with them for five sea-sons. After suffering a knee injury in 1979, Capelletti joined the San Diego Chargers for three seasons. He retired from the game after his stay with the Chargers, and is currently a partner in Alpha Stainless, a company that provides services to the pharmaceutical industry. Capelletti and his wife, Betty, live in California with their four sons, Nicholas, John Jr., Thomas and
Joseph.

Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman in 1986 as a University of Miami quarterback. He was Miami’s all-time leader in career touchdown passes and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first overall NFL draft pick in 1987. After playing in Tampa Bay for five seasons, Testaverde moved on to the Cleveland Browns and then to the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. The 41 year-old Brooklyn NY native is currently playing with the Dallas Cowboys.

The latest Italian American to win the Heisman Trophy is Gino Torretta. Torretta, following in the steps of fellow University of Miami alumnus, Vinny Testaverde, won the trophy in 1992, also as the team’s quarterback. He was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, and currently works for Prudential Services in Miami. Toretta also covers college football for ESPN, and resides in Florida with his wife Bernadette.