Why didn't Jim Brown win the Heisman Trophy?

Answer 1

Because he was African-American and no African-American had ever won or was allowed to win until 1961 when Ernie Davis became the first. Brown's numbers surely warranted the recognition. Davis barely won himself by a close vote.

Answer 2

Bush announced on September 14, 2010 that he would return his Heisman Trophy because of an issue over improper benefits he received when he was a star running back at the University of Southern California. He said the scandal should not stain "the dignity of this award." It was the first time in the history of the award that a player announced he would relinquish it.

Bush, who now plays for the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, won the Heisman -- symbolic of the best player in College Football -- for his heroics during the 2005 season.

The Heisman issue arose after the NCAA found major violations in USC's football program and ruled Bush ineligible for the 2005 season for accepting improper benefits.