2016 Heisman speech video and transcript: Genuine Lamar Jackson thanks friends and family

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the 2016 Heisman Trophy. In winning the award, he beat Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook, and Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers.

Jackson’s Heisman victory isn’t surprising. He was the most exciting player throughout the college football season. Despite his team finishing the regular season 9-3 with a pair of losses at the end, Jackson was truly electrifying and caught the attention of many along the way. He accounted for 51 touchdowns on what was the best scoring team in the nation, and it was almost impossible to pick against him.

Here’s his emotional speech after winning the award, transcribed below:

First and foremost, before I go further along in my speech, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without him, none of us would be here right now tonight.

To the Heisman voters, I am truly honored and humbled to be the the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner. To be able to stand up here like all the other former Heisman Trophy winners, I’m extremely proud to represent this class and the University of Louisville with their first Heisman Trophy. I’d like to extend my appreciation to the Heisman Trust and all the people, this tremendous award for making this an experience of a lifetime that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

For my teammates, this is an award for all of us. Can’t wait to cherish this moment with all of you, and I love you guys. But to be included, I love Dede [Westbrook], man, I love Bake [Baker Mayfield]. I just met you guys but I love you man, Deshaun [Watson] and Jabrill [Peppers]. You know it’s been a fun experience here up in New York with these guys, and my first time meeting them, man, and they treat me just like family, so I love these guys.

Growing up in Florida, there were so many influential people who made me the player and the man I am today. To share this award forever, oh man, it means a lot.

Two years ago, I had many choices. Throughout the process, there was one school who stood by my side and that place I fell in love with immediately, and that’s the University of Louisville. They helped me make the greatest decision of my life. To our athletic director, Mr. Tom Jurich and Mrs. Jurich, they believed in me right away when I came to the university, and I thank you guys.

To Coach Peanut sitting right here, who’s got his head down while I’m crying, I’m sorry Coach Peanut. He put so much in me growing up, my mom, a single parent, he always believed in me, and the times I didn’t wanna do it, he’d curse me out, “You don’t wanna be here, go home,” stuff like that, the usual. But he always stuck with me, and I appreciate that.

My coach sitting right beside him, Bobby Petrino, he came to my house on a home visit, he told my mother he’s going to give me an opportunity because I’m ready to play, and I love you coach.

To my mother ... oh my God, I’m just happy to be here. I’m sorry man. I wasn’t nervous at first because I didn’t know who was going to win this award, but to be up here, it’s great. It’s crazy man. These guys are great. I’m just happy right now. But back to my mother. She put so much into me, like I said before, losing my father and my grandma on the same day. It hurt me. I wanted to cry real bad, but my mom was the real soldier, because I was going to be the baby, the female that day. But she told me, “Lamar do not cry,” and I’ll remember that for the rest of my life. So every time when certain things don’t go my way, or this and that don’t happen, I just own up to it and be a man about the situation. And Mom, I love you so much.

Thank you Lord. I told my teammates I wasn’t going to cry, but this is crazy. Brandon Radcliff and all those guys, they jinxed me. But also I want to give a thanks to Nick Petrino, my quarterback coach. He puts so much into me. He’s a young coach, but he always believed in me. He always [would] tell me, “You’re going to be great one day.” So shoutout to Nick Petrino.

To our fans back at home, this is for you guys. You guys always believed in us no matter who we faced, no matter what happened, no matter what our record was, even last year, my freshman year. You always believed in me, and I love you guys. Can’t wait to cherish it with you.

I’m so grateful right now, and honored to be here. This is a great award that I accomplished, and I thank you guys, the whole committee, the Heisman committee, and go Cards!