On Saturday someone told me Hawaii needs Marcus Mariota to win the Heisman Trophy.

Life’s far from perfect here and I won’t speak for everyone, but most of us have what we "need."

We’ve got 80 degrees and sunny in mid-December. We’ve got delicious food of countless varieties. We’ve got the warmest and most beautiful people in the world. We’ve got the best marriage of modern conveniences and natural paradise possible in 2014.

No, Hawaii doesn’t "need" our local boy to be validated by an award. And because of who he is, Mariota himself doesn’t need it either — although it would be ridiculous if he doesn’t come out on top of the voting.

I think it’s the other way around. The Heisman needs Mariota.

Let’s look at the names of recent winners: Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton. Great athletes, but where would you grade them on "integrity" (a word that appears twice in the Heisman mission statement)?

Mariota is the epitome of the modern-day quarterback with stats to back it up, and has led his team to the national semifinals. But he is so humble that NFL scouts have said it could be a liability for him as a leader of a pro team.

If your worst flaw is being too nice, oh well. My favorite story about Mariota is that when he was the star at Saint Louis School he still found time for one-on-one sessions with benchwarmers — to improve their schoolwork, not their passing routes.

When Mariota got a speeding ticket last month, all it did was make him more likable because it made him human. It was reported that his reaction to being pulled over was like the cooperative nerdy guy in the AT&T commercial, not a celeb playing the "Do You Know Who I Am?" card. As we’ve seen, a traffic stop can kill an athlete’s image, maybe even his career. The way Mariota handled 80-in-a-55 only enhanced his.

Here’s some more dirt: He recently told what some would consider a lie.

When Rick Agan of Kaimuki and his sons, Kyler and Carter, were rebuffed after a game by an Oregon official who said, "Sorry, family only," Mariota responded with, "Don’t worry, they are family." He chatted with the young boys and took pictures with them.

They’re not blood-related, but we in Hawaii know Mariota was actually telling the truth. Here, we’re all family.

Andrew and Mariellen Jones of Kaneohe have a son, Reyn, who is a freshman at Oregon State, the fiercest rival of Mariota’s Oregon Ducks. "At $40,000 tuition per year, you bet we are loyal Beaver fans, but we are also Marcus Mariota fans," Mariellen said.

Andrew said their admiration goes beyond the Hawaii connection.

"He’s also an anomaly. You can tell it comes from a really good upbringing. He puts everyone else first. When he was asked about the Heisman, he said it’s not important to him."

With Mariota, you can believe it.

Yes, Marcus Mariota doesn’t "need" the Heisman Trophy. And that’s the biggest reason an entire state 5,000 miles away will beam with pride when he accepts it Saturday at Times Square.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.