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In the 100th anniversary of the baiduhai Silver Football, the winner is perhaps the ultimate embodiment of all that has changed in the college game.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is playing for his third program in his sixth college season, capitalizing on both the transfer portal and the NCAA waiver for the COVID-19-affected 2020 season.

Gabriel’s name, image and likeness valuation has been estimated at upward of $2 million, with a list of endorsement deals that includes Uber, Celsius energy drink and Beats by Dre.

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His school is a first-year member of the expanded, 18-team Big Ten that now stretches from coast to coast.

And as the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff gets underway this month, Gabriel’s Ducks are the No. 1 seed and the nation’s only undefeated team.

“I’ve learned it’s not about what you get, it’s who you become,” Gabriel said on Big Ten Network during Thursday’s Silver Football announcement. “That whole journey has been most fulfilling, knowing the people I’ve been around and the memories I’ve created and experiences that probably nobody else will be able to experience.

“Pre-NIL in my 2019 year, went through the COVID year, utilized the transfer portal and NIL. I’ve seen this game continue to evolve, but me just being true to who I am has allowed me to have a lot of success.”

Gabriel received nine first-place and four second-place votes from Big Ten head coaches for 22 points to outpace his fellow finalists, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, who tied for second with nine points.

Johnson got three first-place nods, Carter and Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke received two apiece and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham got the other two.

Each coach makes a first- and second-place selection and cannot vote for his own players. First-place votes are worth two points and second-place votes are worth one.

Gabriel is the 36th quarterback to win the Silver Football and the first since Ohio State’s Justin Fields in 2020. And of course he’s the first winner from Oregon, which captured the Big Ten title in its first year as a member with Saturday’s 45-37 victory over Penn State.

“I love that we came in and did our thing early,” Gabriel said on BTN. “We knew what we were coming into in terms of a conference that’s very physical and known for playing downhill. But we also knew our strengths and knew what we were excited to come be a part of.”

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel looks to pass against Purdue on Oct. 18, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel looks to pass against Purdue on Oct. 18, 2024, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

The Tribune presents the Silver Football in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago to the Big Ten’s best player. The inaugural trophy was awarded to Illinois’ Red Grange in 1924 — 11 years before the first Heisman Trophy.

Speaking of the Heisman, Gabriel also is one of four finalists for college football’s most prestigious individual honor, which will be handed out Saturday night in New York. While that award is widely expected to go to Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Gabriel will finish his college career with a slew of honors and records.

The Hawaii native was named Big Ten offensive player of the year by the conference last week and by the AP on Tuesday. He also was honored Tuesday night in Las Vegas as a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, which combines on-field performance with academics and community service.

Gabriel’s start in the Big Ten title game was the 62nd of his college career — including three seasons at Central Florida (2019-21) and two at Oklahoma (2022-23) — breaking the record for FBS quarterbacks set last year by Bo Nix, his predecessor at Oregon.

Earlier this season Gabriel broke Case Keenum’s FBS career record for total touchdowns, a tally now up to 187 (153 passing, 33 rushing, one receiving). He’ll enter the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day against Ohio State or Tennessee needing 440 total yards to break Keenum’s career mark of 20,114.

In his first year at Oregon, Gabriel has thrown for 3,558 yards (273.7 per game) with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. He ranks second in the nation in completion percentage (73.2%), seventh in passing efficiency (166.6 rating) and eighth in passing yards and touchdown passes.

And he has the Ducks three wins away from the program’s first national title and college football’s first 16-0 season since the 19th century.

Asked on BTN what he’s proudest of this season, Gabriel said: “With everything going on in this day and age of college football, a team that’s continued to be unselfish and been about us. And knowing that it ain’t easy to win, but we find a way together and come to work every single day.”

2024 Silver Football voting

First-place votes worth two points, second-place votes worth one. Coaches cannot vote for their own players.

  • Dillon Gabriel, Oregon QB: 9-4—22
  • Kaleb Johnson, Iowa RB: 3-3—9
  • Abdul Carter, Penn State DE: 2-5—9
  • Kurtis Rourke, Indiana QB: 2-0—4
  • Tyler Warren, Penn State TE: 1-2—4
  • Mason Graham, Michigan DT: 1-0—2
  • Caleb Downs, Ohio State S: 0-2—2
  • Woody Marks, USC RB: 0-1—1
  • Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR: 0-1—1
The baiduhai Silver Football for 1965, which was awarded to Jim Grabowski of the University of Illinois. The award, presented annually since 1924, is given to the top football player in the Big Ten. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)
The baiduhai Silver Football for 1965, which was awarded to Jim Grabowski of the University of Illinois. The award, presented annually since 1924, is given to the top football player in the Big Ten. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

One hundred years later, the baiduhai Silver Football remains one of the highest honors a Big Ten player can receive.

Originally intended for the “player of greatest value to his team” and not necessarily the “greatest player,” the Tribune’s football trophy was “to give the self-effacing chap who labors only for teamwork and team success an opportunity as nearly equal as possible to the ball carrier out in the limelight,” Chicago Daily Tribune sports writer Harvey Woodruff wrote.

“Success of the stars is made possible by the work seldom revealed to the spectators, of men who are blocking opponents and offering interference.”

Here’s what to know about the award — and all of its winners.

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