Rogers
George Rogers, who starred in college for the South Carolina Gamecocks, was selected as the nation’s Heisman winner following the 1980 season.
Rogers will be signing autographs from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, according to restaurant owner Steve “Pokey” Clark. Football fans and the general public are invited to the event.
Rogers was highly recruited out of high school, and decided to attend South Carolina when coach Jim Carlen told him that he could play in his freshman year. Due to his large size, he seemed destined to play fullback rather than tailback.
However, the Gamecocks had two running backs who graduated at the same time, so he began his college career as the starting tailback midway through his freshman season.
Rogers rushed for 1,006 yards (playing in only eight games) during his sophomore year, despite splitting time with fellow sophomore Johnnie Wright. However, it was Rogers' junior campaign that launched him into the national spotlight, as he was one of the best rushers in the country with 1,681 yards.
After that season, Rogers was given Second Team All-America Honors by the Associated Press, National Editorial Alliance, United Press International, American Football Coaches, and Football News.
In 1980 the Gamecocks returned plenty of talent, which was headlined by Rogers as a senior. While South Carolina's 8-3 record was good, Rogers’ final season was better. His 1,781 yards was the best in the nation and earned him a spot as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
The Downtown Athletic Club in New York City named Rogers winner of the 1980 Heisman Trophy. Rogers beat out an impressive group of players, including Pittsburgh defensive lineman Hugh Green and Georgia running back Herschel Walker. Rogers also earned spots on eight All-America teams, all First Team honors.
Rogers had his number 38 jersey retired during halftime ceremonies at South Carolina’s final 1980 home game. He was the first University of South Carolina player to have his jersey retired while still active at the school.
Rogers left the Gamecock football program as its most successful running back, and many of his records remain after all these years. His 5,204 yards is still the highest career total by any Gamecock running back, and his 31 rushing touchdowns is tied with Harold Green for first. He is second on the all-time points scored list with 202. He also gained more than 100 yards in each of his final 22 college games.
In the 1981 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints selected Rogers with the first pick overall (one pick before the New York Giants selected Lawrence Taylor). He was the first of four Heisman Trophy winners selected by the Saints (Danny Wuerffel in 1997, Ricky Williams in 1999, and Reggie Bush in 2006 were the other three).
In his first season, Rogers led the league in rushing with 1,647 yards, which set a high for rookies at that time. He was selected as the NFL Rookie of the Year for 1981 and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Rogers would spend his first four seasons in New Orleans, and his running ability is credited with bringing the Saints out of its perennial cellar. He played alongside quarterback Archie Manning in 1981 and eventually running back Earl Campbell, who was brought in during the 1984 season.
Rogers would play only three more seasons, all for the Washington Redskins. When he arrived in Washington, Hall of Fame running back John Riggins was ending his professional career, while coach Joe Gibbs was trying 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 on January 31, 1988.
Rogers, however, retired due to nagging injuries after the Redskins beat the Denver Broncos, 42-10, in Super Bowl XXII. When he left the NFL, Rogers had rushed for 7,176 yards with 54 touchdowns in seven seasons.
