Actual Factual Georgia

It’s not known exactly where Spanish explorers first landed on our coast, but scholars concur that they were sailing and looking around the area in 1525.

GeorgiaINFO, an online almanac, states that the Spanish came ashore at the mouth of the Savannah River on May 3, 1525, which is thought to be the first instance of Europeans in this neck of the woods.

The colony of San Miguel de Gualdape was founded in 1526, on what is now known as Sapelo Island.

“Georgia: A State History,” published in 2003, states it was “the first European attempt to establish a permanent colony in the present-day United States.”

San Miguel de Gualdape lasted about only three months, as disease, hunger and the Native American inhabitants all did their part to discourage the Spanish.

So much for Southern hospitality.

Hernando de Soto explored Georgia’s interior in 1540, and after St. Augustine was established in 1565, the Spanish turned to building missions along the coast and throughout what was known as La Florida.

Missions dotted the landscape, from the coastal islands to Valdosta and Folkston, but eventually were abandoned.

Still, it wasn’t until 1733 that James Oglethorpe arrived with a group of English colonists and began building what became Savannah.

Q: With the NFL Draft coming up, I was wondering who are some of the native Georgians who were first-round selections and had successful pro careers?

A: There are legendary NFL players, including Jim Brown (St. Simons Island) and John Hannah (Canton), who were born in Georgia, but raised in other states.

And then there are players such as Fran Tarkenton, who was born in Richmond, Va., but grew up in Athens.

I can’t include everybody, but here are several first-round NFL picks who were born in Georgia and played at a state high school with the year they were drafted: