Catching up with Mike Garrett
One of the highlights of Heisman weekend is the extent to which so many former winners participate in the events surrounding the awarding of the prestigious trophy. When Marcus Mariota received the 80th Heisman this past Dec. 13, almost 20 legendary players were on hand to welcome him into one of the most elite fraternities in sports.
We caught up with several of them that weekend, including 1965 Heisman winner Mike Garrett of USC. Here’s what Garrett had to say about the Heisman and his reverance for some of the past winners:
What’s it like coming to New York as a former winner as opposed to being a prospective winner?
“The thing I get excited about the most, now that I’m an old timer, is I get to reminisce about names like John Lujack, John Lattner and all those great guys. I was just talking about that with Steve Spurrier and John Huarte about those old timers. I’ve always been a history buff and to be able to go through the Heisman booklet and think about all those guys who welcomed me into this group is very exciting.
Who was the guy who took you under your wing when you joined this prestigious group?
“For me, it was Johnny Lattner and ‘Hopalong’…Howard Cassady. But the thing that motivated me more than anything at the time was that I really wanted to meet Johnny Lujack. My brother was six years older than me so when Johnny Lujack was going to Notre Dame, I heard about him all the time. And when I finally got here, I had to meet Lujack if I did nothing else. So being here kind of brings back those great memories again.
Have you had a chance to talk to Marcus Mariota yet?
“I talked to him briefly. He’s been so swamped, I just tried to give him some space. He’ll be back another year as a former winner, I’m sure, so I’ll get to know him more then.
What was the process like when you won the Heisman?
“Unlke what they do now, they told you about it before you got here. You got a call the morning after your last game that you won the Heisman. I kind of thought it was a great way to do it. Now there’s a little more production. If I had my druthers, I’d do it the way it used to be.
You set the then-NCAA record for rushing yardage in 1965 with 1,440 yards. Was there a point in your year where you thought you might win?
“All I wanted to do was play every game the best I could. There was only one game where I got shut down. Other than that one game, I had a great year. I remember going to bed that night after the last game, wondering if I was going to get the call. I said to myself “You can’t do any better than what you did.” So I had a good night’s sleep.
Do you think it helped your candidacy that Terry Baker became the first West Coast player to win the Heisman in 1962?
“I don’t think so. Maybe a little. I think the power of USC helped pull it through more than anything. They were covering college athletics in Los Angeles, but there was definitely an East Coast bias. But around then they started hearing about the West Coast more. I think it helped that my claim to fame, along with Jim Brown in the NFL, was that we were the first backs to start averaging 25 to 30 carries per game.
Who were some of the Heisman candidates you looked at this year?
“My son is a big fan, so he keeps me abreast of what everybody is doing. The three guys who were the finalists were the three guys I voted for — in that order, too. I’m always looking for the best guy, no matter where he comes from. I’ve never been one to pick for my side of the country. I look for the guy who can flat out play.
How’s your new gig as athletic director at Langston University?
“We made the NAIA tournament in football and got beat in the first round. I brought Cheryl Miller in to coach women’s basketball and she started out 11-0. She’s rated No. 10 in NAIA. I think both basketballs have a chance to make the tournament.
Do you have any advice for Mariota?
“I would tell him to enjoy it as much as you can and always be prepared. Don’t take anything for granted.”
