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Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Dec. 4. Below are some personal choices for that honor by SI writers.11/20/2006 02:25:00 PM My Sportsman: Vince Young
With one final play against USC, Vince Young cemented his legacy as a Texas legend.Peter Read Miller/SIBy Bill Syken
Now why would anyone pick a rookie quarterback of a middling NFL team for Sportsman of the Year?
It has nothing to do with Vince Young's play for the Tennessee Titans, where he has come on lately but is still a work in progress. But he could be a complete pro bust and I'd still say he deserved the award.
Because back on Jan. 4, Vince Young gave what I believe will be the greatest college football performance I'll ever see. In college football's biggest game, with the eyes of the football world watching, Young took down the biggest Goliath to come along in half a century.
Remember that night in Pasadena. Texas came into the Rose Bowl undefeated. But the Longhorns were still considered the underdog because they were playing USC, a team that had won 34 games in a row, making them the most impressive dynasty since Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma teams of the 1950s. Furthermore, USC had two Heisman Trophy winners on its team, and they were playing what amounted to a home game, with the BCS championship game being held at the Rose Bowl in Southern California.
And what did Vince Young do? He ran for 200 yards and threw for 267 yards; but more important, he made every big play, including scoring two of his three touchdowns in the games closing minutes. With 4:03 left in the game he scored on a 17-yard touchdown run to bring Texas to within five points. Then for his next trick, in the game's final minute, on fourth-and-five from the USC 8, he dropped back, broke for the corner, and, despite being the focal point of the USC defense, glided to the corner of the end zone, giving the Longhorns the national championship and somehow making it look easy.
That game was a rarity -- a highly anticipated matchup that exceeds the expectations. It reminded us of what it is we love about sports, why we sift through the recruiting scandals, the bowl sponsorships and the off-the-field problems.
In a game that was as good as sports gets, Vince Young was as great as we'll ever see -- and that's why he deserves to be SI's Sportsman of the Year.
posted by sidotcom | View comments |Comments:
Finally, some love for Vince. I agree with you. We'll never see another performance as magical as that night at the Rose Bowl.its just as written...best college footbal game ever,the much hyped OSU vs Mich game was a big game but someone who watched the breath-taking, edge of the seat Rose Bowl its nothing...by far the best individual perfomance by a QB in college history.I can only agree with your thoughts. To add credence to what you have said all one needs to do is look at what is happening this year. The whole football, college, world is up in arms about the BCS. And while all the pundits complain not one has even mentioned that last year the BCS got it right. Number 1 vs number 2, both undefeated and all the game did was become an instant classic.Vince Young is a great sportsman. I cannot believe the Texans turned their back on this rare home talent for a QB with a 5 year losing record of 21-51. But let's not give up hope yet. We have flat foot Mario to cheer for. Go flat foot!!Even at Tennessee, and even with the occasional interception, Vince always seems to put his team in position to win. They almost had the honor of doing what the Cowboys eventually did -- breaking Indianapolis' undefeated streak. Vince is an infectiously positive leader, and you put VY in your locker room, and attitudes are going to change. He's like a good virus. He turned things around at Texas, and he'll turn the Titans back into winners, too.Personally it shocks me that so many columnists, like you, say it time after time again: 'This is the sportsman that did something nobody else did'.
Roger Federer is the one who did it ALL YEAR. He played from another planet, just beautiful and mind-boggling to watch.
Also has his personality been admired by all his peers and many famous (political) people around the world, like Kofi Annan.
I can't wait to figure out whether I can be proud of our american objectivity after the end of the nominations, or if we are hypocritically focussed on our own country.Without a doubt, the greatest individual performance in history in the greatest game in history.The big difference that separates Vince Young from many great plays/players is the time and place he ran for victory. 19 seconds left, national championship, hostile crowd, full out blitz. Can't beat that on nerves, and yet he still runs past it all, including an extra 2 points.
mayer: Federer is a completely dominating player, no doubt. He's on track to surpass Sampras and become the real money in the bank, but the sportsman decision will come from the execution of VY's performance under pressure or Federer's consistent domination of Tennis.The award is Sportsman of the Year, which to me is not the same thing as "Greatest Athletic Performance of the Year". The latter would go to Vince, no doubt, but I think there are more compelling stories for the Sportsman award.Yes, January is a part of the year, so I agree: Vince's performance 11 months ago should not be discounted. The sportsman of the year award could somewhat compensate for the Heisman he did not get, even though lots of Heisman voters would have been happy to change their votes retrospectively should have they had the chance...Turn in your reporter's credentials now. One performance makes a year? Credibility shot, that's all I can say. Look what Vince Young has accomplished since... nothing. Tiger, Federer, I can agree with those picks, but not Young.john, do not despair. I personally think this is a game the SI columnists are playing with their readers, or some sort of a prank...
"let's see how far we can push this ignore-roger-federer-even-though-everyone-knows-he-should-win
until our readers notice we are just taking them for a ride!"
That a few columnists would pick someone else, okay. But that NOT A SINGLE ONE (out of 14 so far) would pick Federer, now that's pushing it a bit far :)Your opinion seems incredibly ill informed. A dynasty of winning 34 games hasn't been seen since the Sooners in the 50s? I seem to remember the Hurricanes winning the exact same number of games prior to losing to OSU in their title game. That stretched from 99-02, ending a mere 3 years prior to USC's loss.
Is 3 years such a long period of time that it is impossible to remember?I cant help but laugh at the poor Roger Federer fan out there posting on all the blogs all the while knowing that his beloved sport is completely irrelavent with 99 percent of men. Sorry Charlies, its football in the USA and Futbol in the rest of the world. Individual sports just dont have the same draw.Check out what the sportswriters are saying about the missed calls at the USC/Tx. game last Janurary. Otherwise, USC would have won handily. Young's knee was down and they didn't call it and Reggie Bush's forward pass was ruled a fumble. USC wuz robbed!Wow! What a great way to actually connect the pysche of America to the Sportsman of The Year Award. That performance was the most amazing ever by a college football player. I have watched college football for 33 years--never say anything like it. Nice call.Hmmm... sorry to be the voice of dissention, but we forget that if USC had come out on top, we'd all be singing Reggie Bush's praises. Both teams marched down the field at will in that game, and if USC would have had more than 19 seconds, they could've possibly scored as well.
Young had the benefit of a very strong offensive line (who pretty much went without credit in Young's shadow) and played in a very weak conference. USC's run to the Rose echoed that as well.
"The BCS got it right last year..." -- sure, two teams cruise through weak conferences while other one-loss teams from much stronger conferences have to sit and watch. Yep, got it right... every year is proof that a playoff system is needed, and until then we only have paper champs.
Quite a few folks would have loved to see Penn State's linebackers versus UT's backfield, or other examples. Some argue that Ohio State would have beaten UT in a rematch. We'll never know, but it would've been fun to see.
Vince is a fine talent and a heck of a football player, but he was also surrounded by great players and great circumstance as well.Most impressive dynasty since the 50s? The mid-90s Nebraska teams weren't exactly chopped liver either.Greatest college QB in greatest college game ever.Who is Roger Federer? VY definitely has my vote.just remember though. the Rose Bowl officials came out and said that USC should of won the rose bowl but had the wrong feed into the instant replay. Vince young still was a good qb, but USC was scammed out of its titleHas Bill Syken ever seen anyone else play QB? Vince is out for Vince. Period. It has nothing to do with the game in Pasadena; he isn't someone that should be an example as a "sportsman". Not with that attitude. Being a Trojan fan I understand not nominating Reggie Bush or Matt Leinart, it's a national past time to bash the Trojans. However, wasn't there anyone else but Vince to nomiate? College sports and Bill need to stand back a minute and reassess the meaning of the word "sportsman".I really hate it when some sports writer has no goals. You must really not believe in your own analitical abilities enough to look around at other sports and atheletes. One game and he's the Sportsman of the Year?! Get a life and look at Tiger as the first thing to come to my mind with very little interest in this whole subject. the award is for the YEAR and there have been many, many atheletes this year that have done much more than having a great game.Even as an 'SC fan I have to agree with you. I found myself hating him & watching him in awe as he dismantled my beloved team.I agree that Vince Young's performance in the 2006 Rose Bowl was the greatest individual performance in the history of team sports, but I don't like how articles like this make it sound as if the 'Horns didn't need the likes of Michael Huff's stop on LenDale White at the Texas 44, on 4th and 2, with 2:09 left in the 4th quarter, to win that game.If you are a real sports fan, not just a football fan or US sports fan, then, it HAS TO BE ROGER FEDERER, period!!!!Who is Vince Young? What is college football to the sports world? As a portuguese writer once said, "the Tejo is not the most beautiful river in the world / but the Tejo is the most beautiful river in the world / for the Tejo is the river that passes through my hometown". I don't blame you, but I can't agree with you, for the college football river is unheard-of outside the USA.For those of you who keep rambling about international sports and players, Sports Illustrated is an American magazine.
I'm sure there is some jai lai player down in El Salvador who rightly deserves the Sportsman of the Year Award, but let's be realistic.
Vince Young's Rose Bowl performance was the most amazing individual effort I have ever seen in a team sport. Period.just like the year started on january 1, it doesnt end until dec 31. LaDanian Tomlinson has been unreal so far this season with 21 rushing td's, 3 receiving td's, and even 2 passing td's. LT is leading a hungry Chargers team and is going to be a strong MVP candidate. Additonally, LT is a wonderful person off the field. he runs numerous charities, including
a camp and a charity golf tournament. He certainly deserves consideration!just like the year started on january 1, it doesnt end until dec 31. LaDanian Tomlinson has been unreal so far this season with 21 rushing td's, 3 receiving td's, and even 2 passing td's. LT is leading a hungry Chargers team and is going to be a strong MVP candidate. Additonally, LT is a wonderful person off the field. he runs numerous charities, including
a camp and a charity golf tournament. He certainly deserves consideration!For all those cry babies that say tennis and golf is that great go back and watch the game. While I like Tiger and Roger those are not team sports. Vince put 90 plus men on his back and lead them to greatness, did Roger or Tiger do that? Oh by the way it was "free of Charge..."For the Trojan fan that wants to bash Vince you need to look at what he does for his community and what he does for his teammates before you make comments like that. Bush had a great college career but he is starting to realize that the pro defenders are just as fast as he is. Do some research on Vince off the field and you will find out why he should be the sportsman of the year. I'm not bashing the trojans but Bush was not as great as people made him out to be.Vince Young is a true class act. Not only is he an infectious leader, tremendous athelete, and national champion. He's humble and a team player- the true definition of a sportsman. What did he do after that touchdown run at the RoseBowl? He walked off the field and ran to celebrate with his team. Today's win over the Giants was further testament to his growth as the greatest athlete who ever lived.I definately agree with the Vince Young pick. Not only did he put in the single greatest performance ever in a college football game, since he has started for the Titans he has turned that team around.
And to the person who said USC was robbed. Get over it. The knee call would not have changed the game. Instead of a touchdown Texas would have had a first down in the red zone. USC's defense couldn't stop Young their all night, he would have scored in another play or two. And I've barely ever heard anybody call that fumble by Bush a forward pass. At best it was arguable. Their was certainly not enough evidence to overturn the call on the field.Vince Young is an amazing athelet and a better person.when was the last time tennis drew over 10 million viewer to watch a match? Excactly...true Federer is good, but he doesn't play in very popular sport anymore...but are there doping laws in tennis anyway?
Young performance was thrilling going up against 'the' coach of college football for one game...true the refs missed a few calls, but remember the replay was still new in college football last year, not like in the nfl.Vince's rose bowl performance was something that college football history will never forget. Even people who didn't watch college football knew who Vince Young was and his stellar performance that night. He embodies the word talent when it comes to football.Fuel to the fire:
Now Vince has the greatest rookie QB comeback in NFL history, eclipsing John Elway's 1983 19 point comeback!
Agree that his was the greatest college performance ever (circumstances and athleticism of opposition).
Young has completely reversed the psychology of one of the most in-the-toilet franchises in the NFL. Currently 4-4 starting, with two thin margin losses. Titans schedule currently ranked the toughest in the NFL.
Best probable alternative, IMO:
L. Tomilson, who may be on course to the greatest RB season in NFL history.To say that USC was "scammed" is absolutely ridiculous. Go back and watch the game--the pitch where Vince Young's knee was down was already a first down inside the 15, where USC failed to stop UT all night. Even if the call had been reversed, it would not have altered the final score one bit.After bringing back the Tenn. Titans Sunday evening from a 21 - 0 score with 9:50 left in the 4th qtr, to win in regulation 21 - 24....he is surely should be the Sportsman of the YEAR....Vince Young.....Everyone mentions ONE GAME. ONE GAME. This is sportsman of the YEAR. I really would like to see someone outside of the NFL or NBA. There have been some fantastic feats from around the world that need to be recognized.Completely agree, he should absolutely win. Although many deserving candidates exist, his performance in the Rose Bowl outshines them all. An instant classic, Young's leadership and skill were focal and key to the Texs win. No other game this year equaled the excitment and raw emotion of that game. For all of you who did not watch, catch a re-run when it appears. Definetly an instant classic, with Young as the star. A definte must watch for any sport fan, regardless of whether you like American football or not.There is no disputing that Vince Young gave an unbelievable performance in the Rose Bowl. But to nominate someone for "SI Sportsman of the Year" based on one football game, or even a football career, seems inappropriate. Maybe I'm holding the award in too high esteem but doesn't it have something to do with what an athlete does off the field as well. Save the MVP awards and scoring titles for those who are able to dominate and change the outcome of games. Save the "SI Sportsman of the Year" for those that are able to change and improve peoples lives in a way that transcends their sport. No disrepect to Vince Young, I'm a huge fan, but he is not YET worthy of your sportsman award.If you didn't have enough love for Vince in the earlier part of 2006, how about now?? He led the Titans to two fourth quarter defeats, two weeks in a row, of the teams of the brother-giants that are Eli AND Peyton Manning. (I'd have to choose Federer for Sportsman of the year, statistically, but Vince might be second on my list, so I wanted to remind everyone that it wasn't only about that one day and that one game!)Recent Posts
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