University of South Carolina Libraries
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HIKE SRERRN (Top) The George Rogers mural stood on the side of Booker T. Washington High school until its demolition for the construction of East Quad. (Left) Rogers led the NFL in rushing in 1981 after being selected as the New Orleans Saints’ No. 1 pick. GREATS •OnTIRUED PROA) Bt* out of reach in the third quarter. Pittsburgh won, 39-7. Honors continued to roll in for Rogers even after the bowl loss, as he was named to the Hula Bowl and Senior Bowl teams. Rogers left the Gamecock football program as its most successful running back ever, and many of his records have remained untouched since 1980. His 3,204 yards is still the highest career total by any Gamecock running back, while his 31 rushing touchdowns is tied with Harold Green for first. He is second on the all-time points scored list with 202 and owns 24 games with more than 100 yards rushing. While the college honors were numerous, Rogers got one of the ultimate honors in football, as the New Orleans Saints selected him as first pick in the 1981 NFL draft. “I enjoyed New Orleans. That was probably one of my favorite places to play," Rogers said. “A lot of running. I played at Carolina, and we didn’t pass very much. Then going to New Orleans, and they didn’t throw very much. It was like all I did was run for a long -1 time." His running abilities brought the ‘Ain’ts back from cellar dwellers to a respectable record. Rogers earned the NFL Rookie of the Year Honors for 1981 and a trip to the Pro Bowl after leading the league in rushing with 1,647 yards, setting a high for rookies at the time. He did have the chance to play alongside two of the game’s legends, as Archie Manning was the Saints quarterback and Earl Campbell was brought in during his final year with New Orleans. With Campbell on the team, a change of scenery quickly became an option for Rogers, who wound up in Washington playing for the Redskins. “1 went to the Redskins, and it was the best choice I could’ve ever made," Rogers said. In Washington, Rogers found himself surrounded by some of the biggest names to ever play or coach the game. Hall of Fame running back John Riggins was ending his professional career, while coach Joe Gibbs was ready to bring the Redskins back to glory. Rogers had some of his biggest professional success in Washington, including another trip to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl title in 1987. “My last year with the Washington Redskins, we won the Super Bowl, which is probably the highlight of my career," Rogers said. “1 got a Super Bowl ring, a Heisman Ring and I led the league in rushing, and I even made the Pro Bowl a couple of years. I’ve done a lot of things in football I’m proud of. But I wish I would have played a little bit longer." When he left the NFL in 1987, Rogers had totaled 7,176 yards with 54 touchdowns in a mere seven seasons. With football behind him, Rogers returned to Columbia where he finished earning his degree and began working for the university. Today he can be found working at the Blatt PE Center. “I’m glad that the university gave me the opportunity to come back and get my degree. Cause certainly if I didn’t have that, I would be working here," Rogers said. “They do not hire nobody without a degree." Rogers also started the George Rogers Foundation, which works to provide scholarships to kids in need who are planning to attend USC. The foundation, which is -- celebrating its 13th anniversary, gives out more than $15,000 in scholarships each year. In 1992, Rogers was named to the All-Century Team at USC. He also holds membership in the USC Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, the Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. In 1997 he received the honor of being inducted into the National - Football Foundation Hall of Fame. Twenty-five years after his Heisman Trophy season, Rogers has his retired number 38 proudly displayed inside Williams-Brice Stadium, a reminder of what greatness can be achieved. “I’d rather them have the team than my number," Rogers said. “I’m more of a team guy. If they would have ‘George Rogers and his offensive line’ or something like that, that would be more worth while than just number 38 up there. Those guys worked just as hard as I did, and they deserve most of the credit that I got. ” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu I9BBIIIIS9 > II ^, mm, §■ I\/ItKY Ai .piPul IP ;} ! * :: ^VitfllgftlltlQllwinT^n fninnCp I. ■■■■■■■■J I" • Individual Leases • Washer/Dryer in Every Apartment • Private Bedrooms • Ethernet in Every Bedroom • 24 Hour Emergency Maintenance • Cable with HBO JF*01 " -M. EWE ^5TP (803) 739-0899 215 Spencer PI, Cayce, SC : “^ ^ Community Features • Free Shuttle to USC » Free Tanning Bed • 24 Hour Computer Center • Resort Style Pool and Hot Tub • 24 Hour Fitness Center i