College football: Ranking every Heisman Trophy winner
By Brad Weiss
84. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Gary Beban, UCLA football
We start our ranking with Gary Beban, nicknamed “the Great One,” during his time playing quarterback for the UCLA Bruins. Beban was an outstanding signal-caller, getting the job done with both his arm, and his legs, and was three times named an All-Conference player.
After finishing fourth in the Heisman voting in 1966, Beban came into the 1967 campaign as a favorite to win it. He had a solid season by most standards, winning the Maxwell Award, and being named an All-American, but he likely won the Heisman thanks to his gutsy performance against USC that season.
Playing against an O.J. Simpson-led Trojans team, Beban shook off torn cartilage in his ribs to nearly lead the Bruins to a victory, throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns. UCLA lost the game by one point, but Beban did enough to win over the hearts of the Heisman voters.
Beban is the only member of the UCLA football program to win the Heisman Trophy, and while many feel the honor should have gone to Simpson, nobody will be taking his trophy away anytime soon.