Heisman Trophy ceremony moved to virtual event on Jan. 5

The Heisman Trophy ceremony, which recognizes the top player in college football, will go virtual this year.

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The Heisman Trophy, normally awarded in early December, will be held in a virtual format at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN reported. The network will host the event, with finalists to be announced Dec. 24, during a 30-minute special that will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Chris Fowler will host the one-hour Heisman Trophy ceremony from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut. Tom Rinaldi and Maria Taylor will join Fowler, while ESPN analysts and former Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard (1991) and Tim Tebow (2007) will contribute remotely, ESPN reported.

The voting deadline for this year’s event is Dec. 21.

“Although college football may look and feel a lot different, there is no shortage of incredible talent on the gridiron this year. One thing the pandemic cannot change is the spirit of a true winner and we are eager to again celebrate that winner on the annual Heisman Trophy ceremony,” Mike Comerford, president of the Heisman Trophy Trust, stated in a news release. “We are also excited to extend our partnership with ESPN, the leading multinational sports entertainment brand, and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with them.”

All Heisman finalists will appear via satellite from either their homes or schools, according to ESPN, which also announced a new multiyear agreement to host the annual ceremony.

Cox Media Group