It was a sorry September for Gino Torretta.
Cut by the Minnesota Vikings after their final preseason game, the 1992 Heisman Trophy winner spent the month working out in Miami and looking for work. His college team, the Miami Hurricanes, could have used him on Sept. 24, when their record 58-game home winning streak was snapped by Washington."I was really disappointed that the streak ended," Torretta said Tuesday during a visit to the Downtown Athletic Club, home of the Heisman Trophy. "It was something every Miami player took great pride in."
Torretta also was disappointed when the Vikings released him in late August. He didn't get a real shot with Minnesota, playing in only one game his rookie year and seeing limited action in the 1994 preseason.
"It's hard for a quarterback to make it in the NFL right now unless you're a high draft choice with a big contract," said Torretta, who was picked by the Vikings in the seventh round. "Most teams aren't willing to be patient and work with a young quarterback. They want immediate results."
Torretta, who completed 9 of 20 passes for 75 yards in exhibition games, wasn't the only Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback cut by Minnesota. The Vikings also released 1989 winner Andre Ware.
Winning the Heisman hasn't helped many quarterbacks make it in the NFL. Last year's winner, Charlie Ward, wasn't even drafted. In fact, none of the last seven quarterbacks who won the Heisman have become NFL stars. The last to do it was 1970 winner Jim Plunkett, who led the Raiders to two Super Bowl titles.
"I don't think it's a jinx," Torretta said. "In a lot of cases, it's just a lack of opportunity."
Torretta is hoping for another opportunity in the NFL. He was scheduled to work out for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.
"Hopefully, I'll have a job pretty soon," he said. "I've been throwing and lifting weights down in Miami, so I'm in good shape. I just have to find a team that needs a quarterback and is willing to give me a chance."
Meanwhile, Torretta has to watch and wait.
"It's tough watching it on TV after all these years," he said. "I feel like I should be out there playing."
Getting cut by the Vikings didn't destroy Torretta's confidence.
"I was successful in college and I know I can be successful in the pros," he said. "I've seen what it takes to make it in the NFL, and I know I can do it under the right circumstances."
While the NFL is foremost on his mind, Torretta has managed to keep a close eye on his alma mater, which he led to the 1991 national championship. It was Miami's fourth national title in nine seasons.
The 13th-ranked Hurricanes, who play No. 3 Florida State at the Orange Bowl on Saturday, have struggled since Torretta left. They have lost three of their last seven games, two more defeats than Torretta experienced in his two years as starting quarterback.
"I know they've had some problems, but they're still a good team," he said. "There's just a lot more parity in college football now. It's more like the NFL. It could be a long time before you see another dynasty like the one we had at Miami."