Ricky Williams’ Heisman Trophy breaks world record, sells for $504,000

By Steve Lansdale

DALLAS, Texas — The Heisman Trophy won in 1998 by former Texas running back Ricky Williams broke the world record for the most ever paid for college football’s most prestigious individual honor when it sold for [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]$504,000 at Heritage Auctions’ Fall Sports Memorabilia Sports Collectibles Auction Oct. 17-25 in Dallas, Texas.

More than two dozen collectors made bids for the bronze statue, the last one that could be legally sold to a private buyer; starting the following year (1999), each player who won the award had to sign a waiver forfeiting the right to sell his Heisman. Because of the agreement prohibiting the sale of the iconic bronze award, Williams’ trophy officially capped the number of Heisman Trophies that ever could be offered … and they rarely are made available at auction. The 37-pound trophy was offered with a letter of provenance from Williams.

The Heisman was the headliner, but collectors eagerly snatched up four other lots from the former UT star.

• Nearly two dozen collectors went after Williams’ Doak Walker Award, which he won in 1999 as the nation’s premier college running back, until it sold for $49,200, more than doubling the high pre-auction estimate. Williams did more than win the award. When he won it, he also forged a close friendship with the legendary SMU Mustang (also a former Heisman winner).
• The 1998 Walter Camp Award, presented annually to the nation’s best player, brought $12,000.
• The 2002 Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award, given annually to the Miami Dolphins’ top player, drew $5,640.
• A 2000 Ricky Williams Jersey Retirement Presentational Game Football, most likely the last one he won while playing for the Longhorns, finished at $1,860.
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