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How many Heisman winners won the Super Bowl?

By Patrick Schmidt

February 3, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) addresses the media during a press conference prior to Super Bowl 50 at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 3, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) addresses the media during a press conference prior to Super Bowl 50 at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Heisman Trophy is the greatest individual honor a college football player can win, but how many winners went on to play in the Super Bowl in the NFL?

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will become the third Heisman Trophy winner to start a Super Bowl when he leads his team into Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.

Related Story: Ranking Heisman Winners Since 2000

In fact, this matchup pits Newton who won the Heisman in 2010 for the Auburn Tigers against former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback who finished second in the Heisman to Michigan Wolverines cornerback Charles Woodson in the 1997 vote.

The result was one of the most surprising votes of all-time with Manning considered the overwhelming favorite before the season even started but lost to Woodson who became the first defensive player to win the Heisman.

So we were that close to history with a Heisman quarterback starting opposite a Heisman quarterback in a Super Bowl. But the history books were still updated with Newton becoming the 18th Heisman winner to play in a Super Bowl.

1. Paul Hornung – Notre Dame

  • Heisman Year: 1966
  • Super Bowl: I

2. Mike Garrett – USC

  • Heisman Year: 1965
  • Super Bowl: I, IV

3. Billy Cannon – LSU

  • Heisman Year: 1959
  • Super Bowl: II

4. John Huarte – Notre Dame

  • Heisman Year: 1964
  • Super Bowl: IV

5. Roger Staubach – Navy

  • Heisman Year: 1963
  • Super Bowl: V, VI, VII, XIII

6. Tony Dorsett – Pittsburgh

  • Heisman Year: 1976
  • Super Bowl: XII, XIII

7. Jim Plunkett – Stanford 

  • Heisman Year: 1970
  • Super Bowl: XV, XVIII

8. Archie Griffin – Ohio State

  • Heisman Year: 1974, 1975
  • Super Bowl: XVI

9. Marcus Allen – USC

  • Heisman Year: 1981
  • Super Bowl: XVIII

10. George Rogers – South Carolina 

  • Heisman Year: 1981
  • Super Bowl: XII

11. Desmond Howard – Michigan 

  • Heisman Year: 1991
  • Super Bowl: XXXI

12. Eddie George – Ohio State

  • Heisman Year: 1995
  • Super Bowl: XXXIV

13. Ron Dayne – Wisconsin

  • Heisman Year: 1999
  • Super Bowl: XXXV

14. Tim Brown – Notre Dame

  • Heisman Year: 1989
  • Super Bowl: XXXVII

15. Charles Woodson – Michigan

  • Heisman Year: 1997
  • Super Bowl: XXXVII, XLV

16. Chris Weinke – Florida State 

  • Heisman Year: 2000
  • Super Bowl: XXXVIII

17. Matt Leinart – USC

  • Heisman Year: 2004
  • Super Bowl: XLIII

18. Cam Newton – Auburn

  • Heisman Year: 2010
  • Super Bowl: 50

In total, of the 18 Heisman winners to play in the Super Bowl nine came away victorious with only Staubach and Plunkett the only two-time Super Bowl winners.

Newton has a chance to make it 10 with a win over the Broncos in Super Bowl 50. He also has a chance to join Plunkett, Staubach and Howard as the only Heisman winners to win the Super Bowl MVP.

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