|
Horvath enjoyed a brilliant senior campaign in 1944. In addition to leading the Big Ten in rushing (669 yards) and total offense (953 yards), the Parma, Ohio native also accounted for 1,248 all-purpose yards.
Horvath, who played both quarterback and halfback on offense and safety on defense, was the Big Ten’s MVP in 1944. Shortly after being accorded that honor, he became the first of six Buckeye Heisman recipients.
Ironically, Horvath almost didn’t play in 1944. After helping lead the 1942 Buckeyes to a 9-1 record and the school’s first national championship, Horvath entered dental school at Ohio State and did not play in 1943. But when Coach Carroll Widdoes went to him prior to the 1944 season, the 23-year-old Horvath, who had an extra year because of wartime rules, agreed to return to the gridiron.
“At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to play,” said Horvath on one of his last visits to Columbus. “Dental school was quite taxing. But Coach Widdoes said I wouldn’t have to practice all the time and agreed to fly me to the games, both of which gave me more time to study.”
Horvath is the only Heisman winner who did not play the previous season. The layoff obviously did not bother him. He set a Big Ten rushing record in his final year.
Horvath, who finished his Ohio State career with 2,055 yards of total offense, went on to play professional football with the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns. Following his professional career, he returned to Los Angeles and practiced dentistry.
Horvath, who died in November of 1995, belonged to the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.
As Ohio State’s first Heisman winner, he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Buckeye fans.
