COLUMBUS, OHIO ? Troy Smith’s Heisman Trophy was shipped home Tuesday to keep it safe and avoid the mishap that happened the last time an Ohio State player won the award.

Eddie George, the last Buckeye to win the Heisman in 1995, had his trophy get stuck in an airport X-ray machine, losing the tip of its right index finger and bending the middle finger.

“We decided to have it shipped. That’s much easier. : Eddie carried it on the plane and put it in the seat next to him,” sports information director Steve Snapp said.