Palmer Steps Into Elite Club

USC quarterback Carson Palmer joined an exclusive club by winning the 68th Heisman Trophy, and 17 members were among a crowd of more than 1,500 that honored him at a black-tie dinner Monday night.

Heisman winners spanning from 1951 winner Dick Kazmaier to 1999 winner Ron Dayne joined Palmer on the dais at the New York Hilton. Mike Garrett and Charles White, who won the award as Trojan tailbacks in 1965 and 1979, respectively, provided USC with the largest contingent of winners in attendance.

“It hadn’t really sunk in yet, but to be up there with all those guys, it finally felt like I was part of the fraternity, part of the whole group,” Palmer said.

Before the dinner, Palmer stood by the famous statuette and posed for hundreds of photographs with guests.

USC President Steven Sample, Trojan Coach Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator Norm Chow and quarterback coach Steve Sarkisian arrived during the photo session. It was the first time the coaches had seen Palmer since last Wednesday, when he left Los Angeles for Orlando, Fla., for the start of what turned out to be a six-day postseason awards trek.

“How about that!” said Carroll, as he greeted Palmer with a hug.

Chow also attended the event in 1990 when he helped Brigham Young quarterback Ty Detmer win the Heisman.

“It’s the same kind of feeling,” Chow said. “You’re proud of the kid and happy to see them have a moment like this.”

After tributes to the late Billy Vessels, who won the Heisman in 1952 at Oklahoma, and Earl Campbell, the 1977 winner at Texas, Palmer was called to the podium amid a standing ovation.

The fifth-year senior delivered a smooth three-minute speech and broke up the crowd with his observation from a social hour earlier in the day.

“I was sitting there and was kind of trying to put things in perspective, and I realized, I’m just some punk college kid in a rented tuxedo rubbing elbows with Archie Griffin and shaking Earl Campbell’s hands,” Palmer said. “I don’t know when it’s going to wear off, but I hope it never does because this is such a cool feeling.”

Afterward, Palmer relaxed with his family during a post-dinner reception and said he was looking forward to finally seeing his USC teammates again.

“I’m ready to get together with all the fellas in L.A. and celebrate this,” he said.