Heisman winners team up with Habitat for Humanity

Past recipients of the Heisman Trophy helped change the lives of a Los Angeles family this past weekend.

College football legends Tony Dorsett, Matt Leinart, George Rogers and Troy Smith worked alongside Juan and Gloria Loza and their three sons as they built a new home as part of the Heisman Trophy Trust’s longtime collaboration with Nissan and Habitat for Humanity.

“This was another great effort by Nissan, Habitat for Humanity and the Heisman Trophy Trust,” said Rob Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trophy Trust. “We’re proud that our former winners did their part to help improve the lives of the Loza family while bringing awareness to the issue of affordable housing.”

The Heisman winners began their weekend by doing what they do best: Leading a football clinic on Friday, running drills and engaging up to 250 young people at Carson High School in Carson. The next day they traded footballs for hammers, helping to raise the walls of the Loza family’s new home.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted.