Up until a few years ago, only a select hand-picked group of voters had a say in who won the Heisman Trophy. But with Nissan’s sponsorship, the fans also got a vote. More specifically, the winner of the fan balloting would receive an official first-place Heisman vote placed by the auto company.
It was all a popularity contest, set to promote the year-long “Heisman House” campaign we see all over our TVs every Saturday while watching college football.
However, apparently the powers that be have decided whom the fans can and can’t easily select for their vote in the Heisman Trophy race. At least, that’s what Navy athletics is pointing out.
Why was Keenan Reynolds taken off the ESPN Heisman House Voting? You now have to look for him manually. https://t.co/P0MiTmcgRS
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 1, 2015
#NavyFootball QB Keenan Reynolds was running away with the fan vote so @Nissan or @espn took him off the ballot: https://t.co/cwE4ZCLKGw
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 1, 2015
Fans can still search for and write in Keenan Reynolds’ name, but it is curious that the top vote-getter of the fans suddenly has disappeared from the online ballot.
There has been no comment from ESPN or Nissan as of yet, but removal suggests the tried-and-true “technical glitch” about to be blamed. After all, why else would the fans’ popular choice be suddenly removed?
Reynolds currently leads all fan balloting with 37 percent of the vote, followed by Alabama running back Derrick Henry coming in second at 23 percent.
Clearly, Reynolds faces an uphill battle to win over enough voters to win the Heisman Trophy overall. But he would at least warrant a potential place amongst the invitees to New York City with that voting total from the fans.
In what could be the most open race for the Heisman Trophy in years, Reynolds’ 25 total touchdowns this season and NCAA-record 83 career rushing touchdowns (tied with Montee Ball of Wisconsin) suggests he could be worthy anyway.
Fan reaction to Reynolds’ removal hasn’t exactly been positive, to say the least, with many believing it is a shameful act on the part of ESPN and Nissan.
@NavyAthletics @Nissan @espn @notthefakeSVP @Buccigross This true? Dropping the Heisman voting leader? From Navy? In America? Really?
— John MacKinnon (@DaddyMacKinnon) December 1, 2015
@NavyAthletics @Nissan @espn #HeismanHouse Please do the right thing and place Keenan reynolds back on the ballot..#espn is an absolute joke — Dave Young (@DLOYoung) December 2, 2015
Others even pointing out the familial connection between two top executives holding out the preferred winner…
@NavyAthletics If he were to win, that’d be 2 Tamburellos that blocked for Heisman winners. Ben, Sr for Bo Jackson and Ben, Jr, for Reynolds
— Heath (@dhsivley) December 2, 2015
Some have even pointed out the potential logistical nightmare of Reynolds making it to New York City in time for the trophy presentation.
@NavyAthletics @RedditCFB @Nissan @espn can anyone tell me how he could accept the trophy if they’re playing Army that same afternoon? — stewie m (@utah_9) December 2, 2015
Except for that whole fact that he plays for a school that happens to have a fleet of fighter jets and helicopters at its disposal.
@utah_9 @RedditCFB @Nissan @espn helicopter
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 2, 2015
It will be interesting to see how ESPN and/or Nissan chooses to handle this situation considering the negative reaction that has resulted and may continue to build.
UPDATE: This appears to be why Reynolds is no longer listed on the Heisman House voting, despite being the fans’ choice thus far. Apparently, voters have to choose from the candidates selected by ESPN’s experts.
The reason Keenan Reynolds is no longer on the https://t.co/1c1MzhDu4p is because he is no longer on this poll https://t.co/VIxnE07Nnj
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) December 2, 2015
