Remembering Nile Kinnick’s Heisman Trophy Speech Dec 06
Today marks the 84th Anniversay of Nile Kinnck’s Heisman Trophy Speech. December 6th. 1939.
Remembering Nile Kinnick on the anniversary of his iconic Heisman speech – KCCI
“ADEL, Iowa — It was Dec. 6, 1939, when Adel native and Hawkeyes football star Nile Kinnick received the Heisman Trophy.
Kinnick delivered an acceptance speech that night at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York that has become part of Hawkeyes lore. The speech is now played over the loudspeaker before each home game at Kinnick Stadium.
“I thank God I was warring on the gridirons of the Midwest and not on the battlefields of Europe. I can speak confidently and positively that the players of this country would much more, much rather struggle and fight to win a Heisman award than a Croix de Guerre,” said Kinnick, who at that point said he planned to join the Naval Air Service after graduation.
Kinnick died less than four years later when, in June 1943, his plane experienced engine issues during a training flight and crashed off the coast of Venezuela. He was just 24.
Watch the video to learn more about Nile Kinnick and a documentary about him that was released last year.”
