I have the same sense of the power and virtue of knowledge that some people get from a religious background.
My biggest frustration with the Heisman is it's become the MVP of the national champion, or a team going to the National Championship game. That's what it's turned into. If you're not undefeated, you're out of the running.
By annihilating somebody else in whatever way, then that person feels that they also have the ability to, then, restore the person.