Mike Garrett first made his mark on the football fields of the University of Southern California in the early 1960s, a time when size was often prized over speed.
Despite being turned away by UCLA because of his stature, Garrett earned a scholarship with the Trojans and quickly proved that his agility and vision could compensate for any physical limitation.
The Heisman Moment
During his three‑year stint from 1963 to 1965 he became the first Trojan in nearly four decades to eclipse the 1,000‑yard rushing mark, a feat that set the stage for his crowning achievement.
In 1965 he captured the Heisman Trophy, ending a long drought for USC and inaugurating a tradition that would see the program produce multiple Heisman winners in the decades that followed.
The next chapter took him to the professional ranks, where the Los Angeles Rams drafted him before he opted for the American Football League, joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
With the Chiefs Garrett helped the franchise secure Super Bowl IV, and his performances earned him two first‑team All‑AFL honors, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
After hanging up his cleats he moved into administration, and as USC’s athletic director from 1993 to 2010 he recruited Pete Carroll, a coach whose innovative schemes would later deliver two national championships to the Trojans.
Garrett’s influence extended beyond the locker room; his name now resides in the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor, a testament to a career that spanned college, professional and leadership roles.