Today's Tidbit... Billy Vessels and Heisman Winners in Canadian Football
Happy Canada Day!
Can you name the ten Heisman Trophy winners who played professional football in Canada? Give it a shot and check the list at the end of the article.
Despite ten Heisman winners playing up north, only one signed with a Canadian team right out of school, a situation that is unlikely now due to the substantial salary differences between the NFL and CFL. Those money differences did not exist or were less pronounced back in 1953 when Billy Vessels signed with Edmonton. Vessels, a halfback in Bud Wilkinson and Oklahoma's Split-T offense, won the 1952 Heisman and went #1 in the NFL draft to Baltimore.
The Colts had just relocated from Dallas and had their challenges. They may have lowballed Vessels, as teams were wont to do at a time when American players' only option was to sign with the NFL team that drafted them, and before revenue-sharing guarantees came along. A few players gained a second option when the folks above the border showed interest. Canadian professional football was then split among the Western Interprovincial Union (WIFU), the Big Four or Interprovincial Rugby Union, and the Ontario Rugby Football Union. Those teams offered NFL-level money to a few players each year, along with other inducements.
Vessels listened to Baltimore and Edmonton's offers, but the Eskimos had more juice. They offered a competitive football salary, free housing, and an off-season job in the oil industry, which was Vessels' goal. It didn't hurt that Edmonton's coach was Darrell Royal, who had played at Oklahoma and ran the Split-T. Plus, Claude Arnold, Oklahoma's quarterback a year ahead of Vessels, played for Edmonton in 1952 and had good things to say. So, Vessels signed with Edmonton, soon joined by Tom Stolhandske, the 49ers first-round draft choice from Texas, who also opted for higher latitudes.
I had trouble finding images of Vessels in action with the Eskimos, but found something better. Here’s a little gem, a 15-minute film of Canada’s National Film Board visit with the Eskimos during the 1953 season. They interviewed Royal to gain an explanation of the Split-T offense and how they use game film, which also features an 85-yard run by Vessels.
Vessels had a stellar year, winning the WIFU's Most Outstanding Player award. Unfortunately, Edmonton was eliminated from the playoffs early, so Vessels returned to Oklahoma to complete his degree and prepare for his two-year Army stint following graduation.
Baltimore attempted to sign Vessels to a future contract after the 1953 season, but he deferred his decision until he completed his Army service. Vessels signed with Baltimore in February 1956, joining fellow Heisman winner Alan Ameche and Penn State's Lenny Moore in the backfield. Due to the crowded backfield, Vessels primarily played flanker in 1956, though he returned to the running back room when the injury bug hit.
Dissatisfied with his playing time and position switch, Vessels retired and entered the construction business in Florida, leaving his football career behind him. His pro career was not as glorious as his college days, yet he is one of two Heisman winners to earn a Most Outstanding Player Award in Canada. A bit down the road, Doug Flutie earned six of them.
Heisman Winners in Canada
Here's the list of winners, their Heisman years, and seasons on Canadian rosters:
Billy Vessels | 1952 | 1953
Terry Baker | 1962 | 1966
Johnny Rodgers | 1972 | 1973-1976
Doug Flutie | 1984 | 1990-1997
Andre Ware | 1989 | 1995-1997
Rashaan Salaam | 1994 | 2004 – did not play in the regular season
Ricky Williams | 1998 | 2006
Eric Crouch | 2001 | 2006-2007
Troy Smith | 2006 | 2013
Johnny Manziel | 2012 | 2018
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Incredible work as always