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Video: Michigan State QB apologizes for this gruff trophy snatch from two-time Heisman winner
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Connor Cook somehow won the Big Ten championship game MVP despite completing 50 percent of his passes, not throwing a single touchdown pass and getting intercepted in the first quarter.
But there wasn’t a lot of offense in this game, and barring a touchdown, a defensive player just wasn’t going to get the award.
The Michigan State quarterback had a lot on his mind here. His Spartans just defeated Iowa, 16-13, to essentially lock up a College Football Playoff spot. He looked like a man eager to fulfill his award-accepting duties mostly so he could go celebrate with this teammates in the locker room as soon as possible.
The man physically handing him the trophy? Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy and a former running back for Ohio State.
Unintentionally, Cook snatched the trophy from Griffin in a gruff manner, then gave him a poor man’s version of the Jim Harbaugh-Jeff Schwartz handshake.
In his defense, it seems that Cook had no malicious intent. But given Griffin’s school affiliation, stature within all-time college football history and Cook’s brawny trophy grab, it was both awkward and humorous.
Here’s the scene that created some buzz late Saturday night:
Connor Cook has no time for pleasantries with two-time Heisman winners pic.twitter.com/CfNuzBLuLb
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) December 6, 2015
Of course, social media gave Cook instant backlash, virtually forcing him to issue an on-air apology within minutes. I’m sure that’s what he wanted to do instead of letting loose after a nerve-wracking 12-1 season.
Connor Cook just apologized profusely to Archie Griffin on our BTN set – should air soon on BTN. He felt terrible – meant no disrespect
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) December 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/Connor_Cook03/status/673379830805733376
https://twitter.com/Connor_Cook03/status/673380056580886528
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
