As Alabama junior running back Derrick Henry passed by the portraits of past Heisman Trophy winners prior to Saturday night's ceremony, he snapped a photo of a single victor of college football's most prestigious honor: former Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram, who claimed Bama's first Heisman in 2009.
"He just told me to embrace it and enjoy it," Henry said of Ingram's weeklong advice to him upon arriving in New York City as a finalist.
Now the rest of college football can enjoy Henry becoming the second Bama running back in seven years to take home the little bronze statue, the bruising runner easily outdistancing Stanford sophomore runner Christian McCaffrey. Henry won with 1,832 points to 1,532 for the Cardinal. Clemson sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson finished third with 1,265 points.
It was the 20th closest race ever and caused Henry to tell McCaffrey and Watson, "I'm sure I'll see you back here next year."
That's not likely, of course. Henry is almost certain to turn pro, which means he'll be preparing to play in some Sunday or Monday night National Football League game this time next year.
But that doesn't mean the Heisman will be lacking for deserving candidates if McCaffrey and Watson return to New York.
Henry justifiably won this award - he was the leading vote-getter in five of the Heisman's six voting regions, losing only in the Far West to McCaffrey - thanks largely to his 1,986 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. It also didn't hurt that he averaged more yards per carry after his 30th carry of a game (6.5) than before that (5.8) and that he never fumbled after his 30th carry of the night.
No wonder Tide coach Nick Saban told ESPN during the ceremony: "This guy exemplifies every value that's important to a team."
The only sad part of Henry's victory as the Tide prepare for their College Football Playoff semifinal date with Michigan State on New Year's Eve in the Cotton Bowl is that his grandmother, Gladys, who did so much to raise him, was back home in Florida in the hospital.
"She worked hard for 62 years to provide for her family," Henry said. "Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today."
But all three of these finalists signaled that the Heisman is seemingly moving to a better place, where decency and character are at least as important as gaudy statistics.
McCaffrey is the son of two former Stanford athletic greats, Lisa and Ed, who owns three Super Bowl rings for his time with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos.
Asked which of the two was the better athlete, Christian smiled and said, "I always say my mom, because if I don't, dinner's not served when I get home."
Never underestimate the value of a Stanford education.
Then there was Watson, who may have deserved the award more than anyone if only because Clemson's No. 1 Tigers are the only undefeated team in the playoffs and there's no way they get there without Watson. He honored his hometown of Gainesville, Ga., by wearing a red suit to pay tribute to the Red Elephants he led to the Georgia AAAAA state title before signing with Clemson.
It's what he's done since then off the field that may make him the favorite next year, since he's spearheaded his teammates to build Habitat for Humanity houses, in part because he and his mother were the beneficiaries of one such home after she put in 200 hours of sweat equity to qualify.
And that was before his mom developed cancer in her mouth, eventually undergoing successful treatment at Emory, though it has left her unable to speak at the moment.
"We sat down in the living room," Watson said. "She told me she had tongue cancer. 'Can you pass away?' I asked. 'No, the doctors will take care of it. Don't worry about me. Just fulfill your dreams.'"
The ultimate dreams of McCaffrey and Watson and quite possibly a name not yet on our radar will have to wait until this time next year. Nor does this mean they'll all become household names at the next level or only be known forever more as football heroes.
One might even end up like 1995 Heisman winner, Ohio State star and Tennessee Titans great Eddie George, who's going to star on Broadway this winter in the musical "Chicago."
Life is unpredictable. Winning the Heisman doesn't guarantee a prolonged professional career. Just ask former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Gino Toretta, who grabbed the little bronze statue in 1992.
But it is nice to see someone win it who appears to have all the intangibles. Not just football stats, as was the case with Florida State's Jameis Winston in 2013. As he proves almost every Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie quarterback, his skill set was unquestionably worthy of the Heisman.
But it's also nice to know the last two Heisman winners in 2014 victor Marcus Mariota and Henry were young men who epitomized more than athletic gifts, as worthy of being role models off the field as on it.
Or as ESPN's Chris Fowler noted Saturday: "All three of these finalists have represented their families, their schools and their sports so well."
With expected candidates such as Watson and McCaffrey likely around for at least one more year, that trend just might continue for awhile.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.