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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A haggard Troy Smith's Heisman Trophy was shipped home because airport security would not allow the Ohio State quarterback to take it on the plane Tuesday.
Smith, who won the award on Saturday night, arrived at Port Columbus International Airport from New York on Tuesday -- without the most prestigious individual award in college football.
After Eddie George won the 1995 Heisman, the tip of the right index finger on the bronze statuette was broken and another finger was bent as it passed through an airport X-ray machine in New York.
Smith said it wasn't difficult letting go of the 35-pound bronze award.
"No, because Eddie's finger got bent," Smith said with a grin. "I don't want that to happen to mine."
Ohio State sports information director Steve Snapp said it was a necessary precaution to have the award sent separately.
"We decided to have it shipped. That's much easier," Snapp said. "How times have changed. Eddie carried it on the plane and put it in the seat next to him. Security wouldn't allow that this time."
Smith, wearing a black leather jacket with the Heisman insignia on back, was accompanied by his position coach, Joe Daniels, along with fellow team captains Doug Datish, David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock. All had joined him at the Heisman dinner on Monday night.
Daniels said Smith would not have trouble refocusing on the national championship game after winning the award.
"We don't have to worry about getting him back down to earth," Daniels said. "He's pretty grounded."
While Smith took great pains to give credit to his offensive linemen and his teammates for helping him win the award, Datish said the Heisman still is an individual award.
"None of that trophy's mine," he said. "He earned it."
Not far from where Smith and the other Buckeyes spoke in an airport conference room, a store was selling Ohio State jerseys bearing Smith's No. 10 for $59.99.
He was greeted by Ohio State fans requesting autographs, many curious airport workers.
The past week has been a whirl for Smith. He flew out on Wednesday to Orlando for an awards ceremony, then made his first trip to New York on Friday.
"I've heard a million clicks of a camera, seen so many flashes of light I'm immune to it all," Smith said of the media attention.
In a week of firsts for the fifth-year senior from Cleveland, Smith wore a tuxedo for the first time at Monday night's dinner.
"It was a beautiful weekend," he said.
Smith was touched by being officially admitted to the fraternity of Heisman winners at the dinner. The 1981 winner, Southern California's Marcus Allen, gave a moving speech on the 25th anniversary of his big night, letting his emotions flow as he spoke about what the award has meant to him.
Smith said he looked forward to getting to his apartment and getting some rest. He was worn down by all the questions and attention.
"It's enough about me," he said. "The last couple of days has not been too much for me to handle, but enough for me to handle, and now it's about time to get back to the people who helped me get where I am."
The top-ranked Buckeyes (12-0) meet No. 2 Florida (12-1) in the BCS national championship game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. Ohio State had workouts last week while Smith was on the awards circuit.
"I feel bad I haven't been there with my teammates," he said. "They've been battling through some practices."
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Smith, who won the award on Saturday night, arrived at Port Columbus International Airport from New York on Tuesday -- without the most prestigious individual award in college football.
After Eddie George won the 1995 Heisman, the tip of the right index finger on the bronze statuette was broken and another finger was bent as it passed through an airport X-ray machine in New York.
Smith said it wasn't difficult letting go of the 35-pound bronze award.
"No, because Eddie's finger got bent," Smith said with a grin. "I don't want that to happen to mine."
Ohio State sports information director Steve Snapp said it was a necessary precaution to have the award sent separately.
"We decided to have it shipped. That's much easier," Snapp said. "How times have changed. Eddie carried it on the plane and put it in the seat next to him. Security wouldn't allow that this time."
Smith, wearing a black leather jacket with the Heisman insignia on back, was accompanied by his position coach, Joe Daniels, along with fellow team captains Doug Datish, David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock. All had joined him at the Heisman dinner on Monday night.
Daniels said Smith would not have trouble refocusing on the national championship game after winning the award.
"We don't have to worry about getting him back down to earth," Daniels said. "He's pretty grounded."
While Smith took great pains to give credit to his offensive linemen and his teammates for helping him win the award, Datish said the Heisman still is an individual award.
"None of that trophy's mine," he said. "He earned it."
Not far from where Smith and the other Buckeyes spoke in an airport conference room, a store was selling Ohio State jerseys bearing Smith's No. 10 for $59.99.
He was greeted by Ohio State fans requesting autographs, many curious airport workers.
The past week has been a whirl for Smith. He flew out on Wednesday to Orlando for an awards ceremony, then made his first trip to New York on Friday.
"I've heard a million clicks of a camera, seen so many flashes of light I'm immune to it all," Smith said of the media attention.
In a week of firsts for the fifth-year senior from Cleveland, Smith wore a tuxedo for the first time at Monday night's dinner.
"It was a beautiful weekend," he said.
Smith was touched by being officially admitted to the fraternity of Heisman winners at the dinner. The 1981 winner, Southern California's Marcus Allen, gave a moving speech on the 25th anniversary of his big night, letting his emotions flow as he spoke about what the award has meant to him.
Smith said he looked forward to getting to his apartment and getting some rest. He was worn down by all the questions and attention.
"It's enough about me," he said. "The last couple of days has not been too much for me to handle, but enough for me to handle, and now it's about time to get back to the people who helped me get where I am."
The top-ranked Buckeyes (12-0) meet No. 2 Florida (12-1) in the BCS national championship game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. Ohio State had workouts last week while Smith was on the awards circuit.
"I feel bad I haven't been there with my teammates," he said. "They've been battling through some practices."
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
