There’s recency bias, and there’s just flat-out disrespect.
In a list of the five greatest Kansas State quarterbacks of all time, Jug of Snyder’s Ericka Brockish left off College Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy finalist and Davey O’Brien Award winner Michael Bishop.
The list included another Heisman finalist, Collin Klein (2008-2012), along with Lynn Dickey (1968-1970), who played 15 seasons in the NFL, Josh Freeman (2006-2008), Skylar Thompson (2016-2021) and Will Howard (2020-2023).
Bishop played for the Wildcats for two seasons in 1997 and 1998 after leading Blinn (Texas) Junior College to back-to-back NJCAA national championships in 1995 and 1996.
Playing for legendary head coach Bill Snyder at Kansas State, Bishop started all 25 games over two seasons, going 22-3 and was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 1997.
7 days until Kansas State football
— The Kansas State Fan (@Thekstatefan) August 24, 2019
#7 Michael Bishop
-1st team All American in '98
-1st team All Big 12 in '98
-2nd in Heisman voting in '98
-Davey O'Brien award winner in '98
-Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year & 2nd team All Big 12 in '97
-Fiesta Bowl MVP in '97 pic.twitter.com/kJMGSK9KSI
In 1998, Bishop won the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top collegiate quarterback, was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, consensus Associated Press All-American and finished as runner-up to Texas running back Ricky Williams for the Heisman.
That season, he also came one game away from leading the Wildcats to a spot in the BCS national championship game with a heartbreaking loss to Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game.
Bishop played 13 seasons of professional football, including two seasons in the NFL and won a Grey Cup with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts in 2004.
Bishop was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
