When Duluth’s Georgia Rogers ran his way to the 1980 Heisman Trophy, he was part of a trend. The South Carolina senior rushed for a school-record 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns to become the ninth consecutive running back to capture the award in a streak that ran to 12. Rogers lives in Columbia, S.C., and works as an ambassador for the school while working with the George Rogers Foundation of the Carolinas to provide assistance to first-generation college students (www.georgerogersfoundationofthecarolinas.org). He doesn’t have much opinion about the hype accompanying the Heisman today, compared to when he was in school.
I just think that these days they give it to the quarterback. They don’t even think about the running back. They’ve saved the QB and killed the running backs … but if you don’t have a running game you can’t win. Sometimes, the quarterback was winning, but most of the time running backs were winning, especially in late ’70s and early ’80s.
Everybody wants to be labeled as a Heisman Trophy winner. When I won it, I was the only one in the room and I was glad for my teammates because I know it’s not really given to one individual. It’s the defense, and all the guys up front opening holes.
Actually, I don’t keep up with all the (hype) now during the season, and I think the Heisman should be given after years of work. My junior year, I rushed for (1,681) and my senior year almost 1,800. I made progress.
After my junior year, I started getting some Heisman questions, and before my senior year we went on this trip sponsored by ABC with Keith Jackson, the broadcaster. We went to seven cities around the nation to promote college football.
It was (Pittsburgh defensive end) Hugh Green, (Baylor linebacker) Mike Singletary, (Purdue quarterback) Mark Herrmann and I (in addition to Alabama coach Bear Bryant, Notre Dame coach Dan Devine, and Tennessee coach Johnny Majors).
(South Carolina) started pushing, “George for Heisman.” I remember this like yesterday. It was a snapshot of me smiling and it read, “Keep Your Eyes on This Man.” We were 8-4, but I always had over 100 yards. That kept me in the spotlight that year. I remember we beat (No. 17) Michigan (17-14) at Michigan that year, and that was real big for me.
I wanted (Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman winner) Johnny Manziel to win that game (two weeks ago against Missouri), but … show me what you’ve done over the years. Johnny played well this year, but not better than last year.
I just think that the quarterback from Florida State (Jameis Winston), he’s having a good year. They beat Clemson badly there. The kid is a great person, and now they’re trying to give him a black eye. So the votes won’t go his way.
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