Mariota’s decision to come back paid off

DALLAS >> Not that there was much likelihood of Marcus Mariota’s head getting too big for one of the custom, Nike-designed helmets, but he underlined where his focus is this week.

The Oregon’s quarterback put the biggest individual award in American sports, the Heisman Trophy, aside in favor of Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship.

With characteristic politeness, of course. 

"I’d trade the Heisman to win this (national title)," Mariota said firmly. "It means a lot more to me than the Heisman. No disrespect, but, yeah, I mean it would mean a lot more because it is a team effort and it is something that, as a team, we really strive for and really work for. And, now that we’re part of (the game), we’re excited."

Note the consistent employment of "we" here and you begin to understand a lot of what it is that has propelled Mariota and the Ducks here in this remarkable, record-setting 13-1 season.

Another season with his teammates, a shared pursuit of the inaugural CFP national title and a degree were some of the factors Mariota cited when he announced his decision to return to Eugene 13 months ago.

The Heisman? That didn’t even make his acknowledged top 10.

That raised some eyebrows, but not to those who known him best. 

"He’s 100 percent true, he’s 100 percent dedicated to the team, and 100 percent credible," Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said. "A lot of guys talk a good game. Everything that guy does is gospel." 

However heartfelt, the decision to return was not without considerable risk for someone who had been projected a high first-round draft pick worth $12 million to $18 million.

In testament to that risk and the investment in this season was the insurance policy the family took out against disability and loss of value. The policy is said to be valued at $5 million.

Meanwhile, one of the major goals, a general sciences degree, was completed last month, an Oregon spokesman said. 

"It meant a lot to see Marcus come back for the reasons that he did," said Hroniss Grasu, the Ducks’ three-time All-Pac-12 center. Grasu, too, decided, to forego an early draft entry to return, and though he says it was not a coordinated decision, many of the same reasons applied. 

"We both love the team we’re on and wanted to see our goals through," Grasu said. "I don’t think it was about individual awards."

The Heisman, not to mention the Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award — are we leaving anything out? — are held at a "secure" location, family said. 

Now that the countdown to Monday’s title game has commenced with Oregon’s arrival in Texas on Friday, there is a further appreciation of the journey.

"It has been an incredible year," Mariota said. "This year has been awesome. But there is still more to do."

At this point there should be no doubting what importance that holds.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.