One of college football's greatest running backs is selling his Heisman Memorial Trophy ring to the highest bidder.
Rashaan Salaam, a La Jolla native and La Jolla County Day graduate who won the Heisman in 1994 at the University of Colorado, will auction off his ring on Aug. 9.
Salaam’s Heisman Trophy ring will be showcased to the public at the 32nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago from Aug. 3-7.
The Heisman Trophy, issued to the most outstanding player in the country, is college football’s most prestigious award. Salaam’s gold ring has over 20 diamonds and is estimated to sell between $15,000 and $25,000.
The ring also comes with a certificate of authenticity from Salaam and Nate D. Sanders Auctions.
The auction ends Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. PST. Bids can be placed online or by phone at (310) 440-2982.
Salaam, who graduated from La Jolla Country Day, was an All-American running back at Colorado. He rushed for 2,055 yards during his 1994 junior season -- only the fourth major college football player to surpass the 2,000-yard milestone.
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Salaam had four consecutive 200-yard rushing games during the season, his best effort coming against Texas, when he set a school record with 362 yards of total offense in a 34-31 Colorado win in Austin.
The Downtown Athletic Club awarded the Heisman Trophy and a ring to Salaam.
After winning the Heisman, Salaam declared for the NFL Draft, and the Chicago Bears selected him with 21st overall.
In 1995, he rushed for 1,074 yards and 10 touchdowns, a Bears rookie record that stood until 2001 when it was broken by Anthony Thomas.
Salaam later played for Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers; however, chronic injuries disintegrated his professional career.
Salaam is one of four San Diego natives to win a Heisman Trophy. Lincoln High’s Marcus Allen, Patrick Henry’s Ricky Williams and Helix’s Reggie Bush are the others.
Bush's Heisman was later stripped due to NCAA rule violations.
