Allatoona High to host Heisman Trophy

It’s still more than two months before this year’s Heisman Trophy is awarded to the top college football player. But Friday night, the prestigious trophy — with its famous bronze, side-stepping player — makes a brief stop in Cobb County.

Yes, it’s the real trophy.

And yes, it will be appearing at a football game.

The Heisman Trophy gets to travel quite a bit through different promotions, such as a high school game of the week contest sponsored by an Atlanta news station.

When it isn’t traveling, the trophy is housed with Nissan officials, said Kevin Wagstaff, southeast marketing manager for the company, which is the presenting sponsor for the award. A company official chauffeurs the trophy, which has a travel case and a display stand.

Friday, the trophy will be in Acworth at Allatoona High School when the Bucs host nearby North Paulding High for Homecoming. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Allatoona marching band will offer those at the game the chance to get their photo made with the trophy.

The cost is $5 for one person to stand next to the trophy. Groups of up to four people can pose together for $10.

Last Friday, the trophy was at Berkmar High School in Gwinnett, and it has recently made stops at Northview and Milton. Thursday afternoon, the Heisman will make an appearance at Apalachee High School in Winder.

The Heisman was first awarded in 1935. The University of Georgia has had two Heisman winners: Frank Sinkwich in 1942 and Herschel Walker in 1982.

George Rogers, who played at Duluth High and the Univeristy of South Carolina, won in 1980. Charlie Ward from Thomasville won in 1993, his senior year at Florida State.