COMMENTARY

The Heisman Trophy has outgrown its roots

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Then, in 2001, on Sept. 11 of course, planes crashed into the World Trade Center, just three blocks from the Downtown Athletic Club. That ended many things, of course. One of those things: It ended the Downtown Athletic Club. They used it as a place to treat the wounded for a little while, until a gas leak forced everyone out. They never reopened the doors. Remaining members of the D.A.C. tried hard to keep the place alive, but the truth was that there was no more place in New York for a crumbling 45-story athletic club.

The Heisman, of course, has gone on, bigger than ever. They moved the Heisman ceremony to a hotel, then to the Yale Club.

Tonight the Heisman will be handed out at the Nokia Theater, 1515 Broadway, in the heart of Times Square. Yeah, the Heisman is a big show now. Most people seem to expect Florida’s Tim Tebow to win it, though it could go to Arkansas’ running back sensation, Darren McFadden. Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel is probably out of the running after Missouri’s loss to Oklahoma, but he will be at the ceremony as well.

And it will happen about five miles away from what is now The Downtown Club, where people may watch the Heisman show on televisions in the state-of-the-art Trophy Room gym. Then again, they may be strengthening their body, mind and spirit in the Yoga Studio. At least that’s what the brochure says.

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To reach Joe Posnanski, call 816-234-4361 or send e-mail to jposnanski@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.