Rogers, George W. Jr.
Football
b. Dec. 8, 1958, Duluth, GA
During his four years as a running back at the University of South Carolina, Rogers gained 5,204 rushing yards. He rushed for 1,894 yards in 1980, his senior year, when he was a consensus All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football player.
The 6-foot-2, 224-pound Rogers joined the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 1981 with a five-year contract reportedly worth $1 million. He was named rookie of the year after leading the league with 1,674 yards in 378 attempts, a 4.4 average, and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns.
Rogers entered a drug rehabilitation program early in 1982 but came back to gain 535 yards in 9 games during the season, which was shortened by a player strike. He gained 1,144 yards in 1983 and 914 yards in 1984 and was then traded to the Washington Redskins.
As the single running back in Washington's one-back offense, Rogers had two more seasons with more than 1,000 yards and he led the NFL with 18 touchdowns in 1986. A toe injury cut his playing time in 1987 and he retired after that season.
In his 8 NFL seasons, Rogers gained 7,176 yards on 1,692 attempts, a 4.2 average, and scored 54 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 55 passes for 366 yards, a 6.7 average.