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Michigan State's Ringer letting others think about Heisman
Saturday, October 04, 2008
My question — or, more so, the thought it evoked — was so out of character for him that Javon Ringer called on the highest of powers to certify his denial.
"As God is my witness, I've never ever stood in front of my mirror and practiced the Heisman pose," the former Chaminade-Julienne football standout said with an incredulous laugh as we spoke by phone after one of his Michigan State practices this week.
"I can honestly say I haven't even thought about the Heisman Trophy. We've got seven games to go. Maybe if there are just a couple left and we're winning and I'm still up there, then I'll give it some thought. But right now it just doesn't cross my mind."
Maybe not his, but just about everybody else's. The Spartans senior tailback ranks third on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch and is number five on the latest Scripps Howard News Service and New York Times Heisman polls.
He amassed over 200 all-purpose yards against California and Eastern Michigan, then rushed for 282 against Florida Atlantic, 201 against Notre Dame and 198 at Indiana on Sept. 27.
Going into the game today, Oct. 4, against Iowa, he leads the nation in rushing attempts (187), rushing touchdowns (12) and scoring (72 points). He's second in rushing yards (897) and third in all-purpose yards (234 per game).
In fact, there seems to be just one category where Ringer routinely gets stuffed for no gain — self-promotion
He's a guy intent on just going about his work — on the field and in the weight room, where he squats 600-plus pounds and benches 400 — all while staying humble.
Those are traits he learned here in Dayton, growing up the son of Bishop Eugene and Darlene Ringer. His father pastors the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church and all you need to know about his mom is that she's about the prayingest woman you'll ever find.
"When I come on the field before a game, I always like to find them in the crowd," Ringer said. "I just feel better when I know there's that connection because they're such a big part of who I am ... And if things aren't going right, I look up there and my mom will motion that she's praying ... and I'll know it's gonna be okay."
After some early setbacks in his football career (a serious knee injury ended his senior year at C-J five games into the season and academic doubts supposedly caused Ohio State to back off recruiting him), it seems as if all his prayers are being answered now.
Maybe it's proof that nice guys do finish first sometimes.
Around Michigan State, he's known for signing as many autographs for fans as he can. And he's said to actually ask if there's any extra charity work he can do.
The only place he shies away from is the spotlight. It was like that in Dayton in church, he said. He didn't play a musical instrument at services or sing in the choir because "I was too shy."
As praise now comes, he keeps deflecting it to his linemen or even the backup ball carriers:
"I'm not a selfish person and I want to make sure people know Javon Ringer doesn't deserve all the credit. It would be wrong to make myself look like something I'm not."
And that is why, even at home, he won't stand in front of that mirror and strike the Heisman pose.
