Yale Dept. of Athletic Archives
Inspiring Minds
1936 Heisman winner Larry Kelley
Larry Kelley is known as the winner of the second Heisman Trophy. However, he won the first Heisman As We Know It. When University of Chicago back Jay Berwanger won the inaugural award, only players east of the Mississippi River were considered. Kelley, at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, towered over nearly everyone else on the field. He had uncommon speed, and his mind worked quickly, too. He once kicked a fumbled punt by Navy 20 yards to the Navy 2-yard line, where Yale recovered. Yale went in to score and won, 12-7, and Kelley always claimed that the kick had been accidental. Uh-huh. After a brief pro football career, Kelley taught at prep schools in Connecticut and New Jersey. He loved inspiring young people. Late in his life, he found a way to use the acclaim afforded him by the Heisman to do so. In 1981, Kelley and Clint Frank, his former teammate and the 1937 Heisman winner, donated their Heisman trophies to their alma mater. Red Smith, the Heisman of sportswriters, covered the event. The New York Times columnist recorded Kelley's sentiment about the Heisman. "My little friend here has meant much to me in 45 years," Kelley said. "His headgear has been worn smooth by my friends and me wishing for luck. I'll miss him, but now there's a time to make better use of him. I hope some potential Rhodes Scholars visiting Yale gain some inspiration. And I hope they can run, pass and kick."-- Ivan Maisel
