The Michigan Wolverines have a barrage of Heisman Trophy winners, but they all fall behind Tom Harmon. The first maize-and-blue player to win the honor is called “Old 98” for a reason. His Michigan jersey is iconic, and ESPN believes he’s the best to wear No. 98. 

“Michigan's first Heisman winner did it all for the Wolverines, often playing every minute of games, but he shined most as a halfback and quarterback,” ESPN wrote on July 2. 

In a lengthy article titled “Best college football players of all time by jersey number,” Michigan’s Harmon was unanimously declared the winner over the jersey number. Harmon is also the first of six players to finish as a runner-up in the Heisman vote.

Born in Indiana in 1919, he was a standout athlete at Horace Mann High. He received 14 varsity letters, was twice named all-state quarterback, and served as captain of the basketball team. As a senior, he won the 100-yard dash and the 200-yard low hurdles at the state finals. 

Old 98 scored 33 touchdowns, kicked two field goals, kicked 33 points after touchdowns for 237 points, and threw 16 touchdown passes per Heisman.com. In his three-year career at Michigan, he played almost every minute. A half-back and dual-threat quarterback, Harmon gained 3,438 yards rushing and passing. 

In 1940, Harmon played his last and the most memorable game of his college career. Against arch-rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes, Harmon contributed three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, and three interceptions in Michigan's 40-0 win. 

ESPN noted that he cemented his lifelong “superstar status” in that game. His performance was so good that “fans gave Harmon a standing ovation.”

In 1939, the year he came second in the Heisman voting, and 1940, Harmon led the nation in scoring. According to Heisman’s official website, the feat remains unmatched. Harmon was certainly a central figure in Michigan and football, but his life was limited to sports.

Tom Harmon wore many hats in his life

After a dream run in college came to an end in 1940, Tom Harmon left Michigan as a Heisman and Maxwell Award winner. He was the number one pick in 1941, but he wouldn’t wear the cleats just yet.

Harmon served as a pilot in World War II for four years. He earned a Silver Star and the Purple Heart for serving the country dutifully. Harmon also took up acting and married his actress wife, Elyse Knox.

He played in the Los Angeles Rams in 1947 and 1948 and broadcast Rams games until his passing in 1990. These games were a part of a broadcasting career that encompassed 10,000 broadcasts. 

Old 98 continues to live as the greatest ever to wear the No.98 jersey. What are your thoughts?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar