Les Horvath became tOSU's first recipient of the Heisman Trophy in 1944, as he led the team to a perfect 9-0 record.
After playing on the National Championship team in 1942, he didn't play in 1943 when he enrolled in dental school. Wartime rules allowed him to have an extra year of eligibility, which resulted in his Heisman winning efforts of 1944.
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Les Horvath
Position: Halfback / Quarterback
School: Ohio State
High School: Cleveland, OH (Rhodes HS)Parma, OH (Parma HS)
Years: 1940-1942, 1944
Inducted: 1969
Place of Birth: South Bend, IN
Date of Birth: 10/12/1921
Place of Death: Glendale, CA
Date of Death: 11/14/95
Jersey Number: 22
Height: 5-10
Weight: 157
Member Biography
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Les Horvath
1944 Heisman Trophy Winner
In 1944, Les Horvath made Ohio State history by becoming the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner. With Horvath at the controls, the Buckeyes posted a perfect 9-0 record and won the Big Ten championship.
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.
After playing on the National Championship team in 1942, he didn't play in 1943 when he enrolled in dental school. Wartime rules allowed him to have an extra year of eligibility, which resulted in his Heisman winning efforts of 1944.
cf.hof
Les Horvath
School: Ohio State
High School: Cleveland, OH (Rhodes HS)Parma, OH (Parma HS)
Years: 1940-1942, 1944
Inducted: 1969
Place of Birth: South Bend, IN
Date of Birth: 10/12/1921
Place of Death: Glendale, CA
Date of Death: 11/14/95
Jersey Number: 22
Height: 5-10
Weight: 157
Member Biography
Les Horvath, the son of immigrant parents from Hungary, grew up in Cleveland. He lettered in football at Ohio State in 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1944. Horvath was right halfback on the 1942 national championship team. In 1943 he was in dental school and not eligible for football. In 1944 the rules were changed, and Horvath joined the Ohio State team as a tailback in the single wing and quarterback in the T formation. Ohio State went 9-0, won the Big Ten and ranked No. 2 nationally. Horvath rushed for 905 yards and passed for 345. He ranked second in the nation in rushing, third in total offense, was unanimous All-America, Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten, and won the Heisman Trophy. He graduated from dental school in 1945, joined the Navy as an ensign, and was discharged in July, 1947. Horvath played three years of pro football, 1947-49 (Rams and Browns), then practiced dentistry in Los Angeles. He died November 14, 1995 at age 74.
official.site
Les Horvath
1944 Heisman Trophy Winner
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.
