Auction Block: Sell the Heisman?

The goods surrounding Heisman winners add up.

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If Tebow wins a second, he could always sell one.

He won't be the favorite, but on Saturday, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will try to pull an Archie Griffin, becoming the first person to win back-to-back Heisman trophies since the Ohio State star did it in '74 and '75.

On its own, the coveted trophy has proved unable or unwilling to stiff-arm away life's difficulties for those who are fortunate enough to hear their names called at the Downtown Athletic Club. In fact, sometimes the metal man proves more popular than his owner. Former Ohio State QB and landslide winner of the 2006 Heisman, Troy Smith is currently backing up who-dat rookie Joe Flacco in Baltimore, and he's hardly the first honoree to suffer that fate.

But the statue has innate worth, of that there can be no doubt. O.J. Simpson was famously ordered to auction off his 1968 Heisman as part of a $33 million judgment from the civil trial that found him liable in the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. That tainted memento fetched $230,000. A Philadelphia sheet-metal dealer bought it to impress his girlfriend.

One former recipient auctioned his hardware to pay off back taxes. Another used the money to endow scholarships at his alma mater. Others have been stolen, bent, burnt, given away and used as doorstops. Apparently one man's treasure is another man's tie rack.

If you're the type who believes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, you'll love the Lowsman Trophy. The fumblin', bumblin' version of the Heisman is awarded annually to the final player chosen in the NFL draft. The statuette is just the beginning, as the worst of the best becomes guest of honor at Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, California. We have yet to see a Lowsman turn up on eBay, but we have our fingers crossed.

If you've already used up your eligibility, or your school refuses to pony up to get your 2009 Heisman campaign rolling, maybe you can try one of these back doors to the Downtown Athletic Club.

1955 Topps Doc Blanchard card: Doc Blanchard won the trophy in '45. Two ways you can tell this card is from an earlier era: 1) A fullback won the Heisman trophy and 2) A guy from Army won the Heisman trophy.

Football signed by Notre Dame Heisman winners: This is how Domers take their minds off of the current state of Irish football. That, and obssessive re-watchings of Rudy.

Bo Jackson Auburn Jersey: Seller is so excited about this one, he used the word "magnificent" twice in a two-sentence paragraph. Bo knows authentication.

John David Crow Texas A&M Jersey: The 1957 winner signed the front of this #44 shirt.

1955 Topps Jay Berwanger: The first-ever Heisman winner from the University of Chicago posed for this card in what looks like a cast-off Flash Gordon costume.

1997 Doug Flutie Starting Lineup BC Figure: Did you know? This Heisman commemorative action figure is actual size.

Heisman Trophy ornament: If you want your Yule tree to go on to a disappointing journeyman NFL career, bid away.

Steve Spurrier autographed mini-helmet: We'd consider bidding big on a Spurrier game-worn golf visor, but this old school Florida helmet is OK. No way it fits on coach's head, though.

Johnny Lujack autographed photo: The Notre Dame QB and 1947 honoree never quite got that Heisman pose down pat.

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