SN 140 Moments: No. 102 – Desmond Howard strikes Heisman pose after electric punt return

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SN 140 Moments: No. 102 – Desmond Howard strikes Heisman pose after electric punt return originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Desmond Howard was the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy heading into The Game against No. 18 Ohio State on Nov. 23, 1991. Howard fielded a punt on the Michigan 7-yard line before stutter-stepping and accelerating through Ohio State defenders as the decibel level at Michigan Stadium increased with each cut. 

Howard passed Ohio State punter Tim Williams, and play-by-play announcer Keith Jackson belted out "Goodbye!" when Howard reached the 45-yard line. Howard raised his arm in celebration and slowed down before reaching the goal line, when Jackson followed up with, "Hello, Heisman!" 

That's when Howard struck a perfectly timed Heisman pose in the end zone. Howard won the 1991 Heisman Trophy and remains one of the mainstays on ESPN's "College GameDay." Versions of the "Heisman pose" have become copy-catted ever since, and the term "Heisman moment" is a constant piece of the yearly discussion about college football's most prestigious award. There was never a more clear-cut example than this. 

MORE: Back to The Sporting News' 140 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time

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