1936 Heisman Winner Larry Kelley Dead at 85

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. — Larry Kelley, the second winner of the Heisman Trophy, died Tuesday at his home. He was 85.

Kelley won the Heisman in 1936 after an All-America season as a receiver at Yale.

A play by Kelley against Navy in 1936 prompted a change in the rule book. With Yale trailing, 7-6, a Navy player fumbled a punt. The loose ball bounced off Kelley’s foot and bounded toward the goal line. Kelley fell on it at the Navy two-yard line, and two plays later Clint Frank scored the winning touchdown for Yale. Afterward, rules makers dictated that free balls that are kicked are dead at that point.

In December 1999, Kelley became the second Heisman winner to auction his prize to the public. The trophy sold for $328,110--$100,000 more than the price paid for O.J. Simpson’s Heisman in February 1999.

Kelley had suffered a stroke six months earlier and said he wanted to raise money for his 18 nieces and nephews. His wife, Mary Ruth, was also of failing health. The couple had no children.

“I’m 84 and not doing too good, so I decided to let go of all my memorabilia,” he said.