Heisman Trust removes 'integrity' from mission statement

The Heisman Trust, the group of trustees responsible for deciding the trophy's values, has removed the word "integrity" from its mission statement.

The Heisman Trust unveiled a new website redesign for Heisman.com earlier this month, attempting to quietly change what exactly the trophy stands for.

Currently, its mission state reads: "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence."

Sports Illustrated pointed out that the statement has always ended in "with integrity." 

At some point since the redesign, or even since last year's ceremony, the Heisman Trust decided they would redefine what a Heisman winner embodies. 

Like many organizations that attempt to sweep rather important changes under the rug - the Heisman Trust did not publicize the change - this one should generate some interesting buzz.

For rather obvious reasons, taking the word "integrity" out isn't completely surprising. Last year's winner, Jameis Winston, has been plagued with seemingly never-ending behaviour issues. 

Winston was accused of, but not charged with, sexual assault in 2012. That incident resurfaced Friday as Florida State informed the quarterback that he'll face a disciplinary hearing soon to determine if he violated the school's student conduct code.

He was also issued with a citation after he stole crab legs from a grocery store in the summer  2014.

In September Winston allegedly yelled out an extremely crude statement while standing atop a table in the middle of the Student Union at Florida State. That incident got him suspended for the Seminole's following matchup against Clemson - a game they narrowly took.

"Did those players have the integrity necessary to win the Heisman?" wrote Sports Illustrated. "There’s no definitive answer to that. The Heisman Trust’s use of 'integrity' has been far too ambiguous." 

The Trust, reported the news outlet, failed to adequately define the integrity expected of winners, and voters have been left to interpret the Heisman’s mission on their own. 

What's resulted is a lot of debate about what exactly a Heisman winner embodies.