Inside Max Duggan’s week-long Heisman odyssey: ‘This red-headed Targaryen was on fire’

BY STEVEN JOHNSON · DEC. 11, 2022

NEW YORK — As he walked the streets of Manhattan, TCU quarterback Max Duggan experienced a new level of stardom.

Tourists and New Yorkers recognized him on the street and wished him and TCU luck. He even heard a “Go Frogs” chant from one of the pedestrians.

His mother Deb and other family with him were pleasantly surprised at the interactions. How could they not remember Duggan’s efforts a week earlier in the Big 12 championship game? On that day, he lay face down in the turf of AT&T Stadium, physically and emotionally hurting as the Horned Frogs came within an inch of a Big 12 title.

By Saturday, he was clad in a gray plaid suit that covered a large scab on his elbow from the battle against Kansas State. He wore a lavender dress shirt and purple tie to match, with a TCU pin on his lapel. About 500 people poured into the luxurious Appel Room at the Jazz at Lincoln Center for the annual announcement of the Heisman Trophy, which goes to the top college football player.

He didn’t win the award; University of Southern California’s Caleb Williams did. But coming in second in the Heisman race is nothing compared with where he was a week earlier, when he was fighting through tears in an apology to Fort Worth and the TCU fanbase for not completing a perfect 13–0 season and capturing the Big 12 championship.

There’s no need to apologize this time, as Duggan honored the school he loves by serving as the ultimate ambassador for TCU during a week that was supposed to be about him. And despite falling to Kansas State, TCU was chosen to be the first Texas team to head to the College Football Playoff.

Duggan admits the loss still sticks with him, but the agony has been replaced by a joy during a whirlwind week that took him from Fort Worth to New Jersey to Baltimore to New York.

Not in Iowa anymore

The senior quarterback from Iowa had never been to New York City before. Or Baltimore, or Philadelphia. He also had never experienced this level of stardom as he’ll lead TCU to its unlikely appearance in the playoffs at the end of the month.

Duggan’s week started Wednesday, flying on TCU chancellor Victor Boschini’s private jet to Baltimore to accept the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. After the plane was diverted to New Jersey because of weather, Duggan and his group were picked up by John Unitas Jr., the son of the late Colts quarterback, and taken to his father’s statue at M&T Bank Stadium.

Duggan was presented with Unitas’ No. 19 jersey while taking in the statue of the Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Duggan said. “I’m lucky to be here.”

Duggan’s admiration of Unitas has a personal touch to it. His father and high school coach, Jim, had a Unitas trading card growing up and Duggan got the opportunity to show the card to Unitas Jr., highlighting the connection between their fathers.

It was that moment when it began sinking in how special this trip was, and it was only getting started.

“I realized where I was at and how lucky I