Chris Weinke 2000 Heisman Trophy Winner

Weinke's Championship Encore is a Heisman Trophy

After winning one of the closest votes in Heisman history, FSU’s Chris Weinke narrowly passed Oklahoma QB Josh Heupel for college football’s top award.  The 6-5, 230 pound Weinke entered the 2000 season with great momentum after having led the Seminoles to the national championship season the year before when he out dueled Virginia Tech's Michael Vick in the Sugar Bowl.
With Weinke's 2000 Heisman season, he became the second Florida State player to win the award.  FSU QB Charlie Ward won the award in 1993.
Weinke was the first three year starter for the legendary Bobby Bowden who had been at the FSU coaching helm for more than 20 years.  Weinke's 4,167 passing yards placed him at the top of the Florida State and ACC career marks for passing yardage.  Just a few weeks after Weinke's Heisman Trophy ceremony, he was once again attempting to pass FSU to another national title.  However, the Seminoles fell short to to Oklahoma 13- 2 in the Orange Bowl.
The Florida State Heisman winner took a much different route than most players on their way to the bronze trophy.  Before joining the Seminoles, Weinke spent six seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league system and advanced all the way to AAA.  When Weinke won the Heisman trophy at the age of 28, he became the oldest player to win the award.
Following his Heisman Trophy winning season, Weinke was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.  Weinke has been with the Panthers for multiple seasons and has spent the majority of the time backing up Jake Delhomme.