Ronald Dayne is an American former football running back who played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy. He was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. He also played for the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans.

The Wisconsin Badgers football program represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the sport of American football. Wisconsin competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. The Badgers have competed in the Big Ten since its formation in 1896. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football. Wisconsin is one of 26 College football programs to win 700 or more games. The program has been one of the most successful programs since the 1990s. Wisconsin has had two Heisman Trophy winners, Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne, and has had twelve former players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.