Alabama Football: Heisman has never had a more deserving winner

Alabama Football: Heisman voters got it right and then some selecting a most deserving winner in DeVonta Smith.

Tuesday night the words of praise were plentiful when Alabama football wide receiver, DeVonta Smith won the 2020 Heisman Trophy. Smith got 447 first-place votes, more than double than the runner-up, Trevor Lawrence. DeVonta won the vote in every region of the country.

Going back to 1935, 86 Heisman’s have been awarded. Smith becomes the fourth wide receiver and the first since Desmond Howard won it in 1991.

More on Heisman history and Alabama football, Top 10 Heisman finishers can be found here.

Many great football players have won the Heisman. The other two Crimson Tide Heisman winners, Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry were also great college football players and outstanding young men. Taking nothing away from the Tide pair and other Heisman winners, DeVonta Smith is special in what he has achieved.

DeVonta Smith had to believe in himself as a person and as a football player when others did not. He was not blessed with a football player’s body. As a freshman, arriving in Tuscaloosa he looked too thin to take on SEC punishment. Undeterred, his freshman season ended with the greatest touchdown catch in Alabama football history.

H played with, but mostly behind, three guys on NFL paths. He kept working. When he decided to return for his senior season, he said he wanted to become the top receiver in Crimson Tide history. By nearly every standard he has done just that.

Speaking after accepting the award, DeVonta spoke eloquently,

"To all the kids out there that’s not the biggest, not the strongest, just keep pushing because I’m not the biggest, I’ve been doubted a lot just because of my size. Really, it just comes down to if you put your mind to it, you can do it. No job is too big."

Recently while talking about his 2020 Alabama football team, Nick Saban said,

"When the best players on your team are the best people on your team, you have a great opportunity to have great unity on your team."

Nick was talking about DeVonta, and others, guys like Mac Jones, Najee Harris and Alex Leatherwood. Devonta, or as he is often called, Smitty, has another nickname used by teammates. It is more fitting for an assassin than the humble young man it describes.

Humble in heart, but deadly as a football player, DeVonta has come a long way from Amite, LA. Amite is about 60 miles east of Baton Rouge. Once, but no longer known for its oyster industry, the small town of Amite excels at football. High school football is the focal point of the community. From that core of support, DeVonta grew to believe his hard work would pay off. Check out the video below from the Amite Community Center on Tuesday night.

Amite can stand tall. One of its own is a college football hero. Loving families and friends have celebrated every Heisman Trophy. On Tuesday night heartfelt joy surrounded DeVonta Smith in Amite, LA, in Tuscaloosa, AL, and everywhere a Crimson Tide fan resides. DeVonta also felt joy, but he talked about other feelings.

"I kind of feel relieved just that it’s over with now. I can just focus on this last game."

That is DeVonta – more work to do – a team goal to achieve. The Heisman Trust defines what the Trophy exemplifies.

"the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winners of the trophy epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."

DeVonta Smith is just what the award describes.

Alabama football fans are disappointed Trevor Lawrence edged out Mac Jones for the runner-up. It is possible, in other areas of the country, voters were unwilling to vote for two Crimson Tide players No. 1 and No. 2.