Ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl between Alabama Auburn, SEC Network ran the following hype video for Tigers running back Kerryon Johnson, whom ESPN doesn’t currently count among the top 10 contenders for college football’s most prestigious award.
Tim Tebow announces part of his Heisman vote, which is against the rules
At least we know who he’s got at No. 2!
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
SECN analyst and former Heisman winner Tim Tebow would tend to disagree with Johnson’s absence, however.
(We’ll here pause to point out that on the year Johnson is averaging 130.2 yards through nine games in the season, and he’s cobbled together 18 touchdowns, both rushing and receiving. Not bad, all told, though he’s played two fewer games than Penn State’s Saquon Barkley.)
Anyway! Tim Tebow — again, Heisman winner Tim Tebow — publicly aired his vote, such as we can take his word for it here, on live television, which is technically a breach of Heisman voting rules. Voters aren’t supposed to reveal their ballots until after the trophy’s been awarded.
From a Heisman voter letter dated Oct. 24, 2016, with emphasis added:
I [Heisman Trust President William Dockery] would like to use this opportunity to once again remind you that both Trust policy and the Heisman ballot mandate that Electors’ ballot selections remain confidential until after the official televised announced. In the event you are unable to maintain confidentiality of your vote until the televised announcement, please inform us. The Heisman Trophy Trust realizes that the annual Heisman race is a topic of great interest to your readers and/or viewers. We are confident that the Heisman race can be covered without vote disclosure. We appreciate your understanding in adhering to this long-standing policy.
Tebow doesn’t disclose his full top three, here, of course, and it’s impossible to say with any degree of certainty that he actually has Johnson as his No. 2 vote. But it’s still a delightful bumble that he’d offer this take in a passionate moment while hyping Auburn’s very good running back, all while seemingly breaking the Heisman Trust’s strong suggestion not to disclose one’s vote before the actual ceremony.
It’s almost like Tebow pulled the trigger too early on this one. Weird.
See More:
