Bruce Smith, a native of Faribault, Minn. remains the only Gophers football player to win the Heisman Trophy.
Smith, a halfback, was named the 1941 Heisman winner after leading the Gophers to their second straight Big Ten and national championship.
In 1940, Smith's memorable 80-yard touchdown run against Michigan, led by that year's Heisman winner Tom Harmon, gave the Gophers a 7-6 victory.
After World War II, Smith played for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams of the NFL.
He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His jersey number (54) was retired by the University of Minnesota in 1977.
BRUCE SMITH
Class: 1986.
Sport: Football.
Team: Gophers.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
Election
In heated western Minn. GOP congressional primary, outsiders challenging incumbent
U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach has a solidly conservative voting record. But Steve Boyd, a Christian conservative who has never held public office, is gaining traction as an outsider.
Sports
Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame: A class-by-class list of all members
Who's in the Star Tribune Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame? From Bernie Bierman to the latest class, here's the list:
Sports
This retired journalist changed professional wrestling from Mankato
Norm Kietzer was a pioneer in professional wrestling journalism for 40 years.
High Schools
All-Metro Sports Awards: Here are the 2023 winners
The Star Tribune recognized the best of metro area high school athletes with its sixth annual All-Metro Sports Awards. Here are the 2023 winners, who were honored Wednesday night at Target Center.