Old School Heroes of the NFL: George Rogers

A Great Running Back Who Played for the Washington Redskins & the New Orleans Saints

In 1981 the New Orleans Saints drafted a Heisman winning running back from South Carolina named George Washington Rogers with the number one pick. Ever since their inauguration into the league in 1967 the Saints best record had been 8-8 before Rogers joined the team. The Saints were hoping for a year of change as they not only drafted Rogers with the #1 pick, but also hired well respected head coach Bum Phillips who had taken the Houston Oilers to the AFC Championship in 1978 and 1979, losing both times.

While the team wasn't much during George Roger's four year stay he was the NFL Rookie Of The Year in 1981 rushing for over 1,600 yards. They did have a chance to make it to the playoffs in 1983 until Rams kicker Mike Lansford kicked a 42 yard field goal with :02 seconds left in the game. His final season with New Orleans the team in 84' went 7-9 due in part to the new quarterback Richard Todd throwing just one touchdown and 19 interceptions.

By 1985 George had moved on to the Washington Redskins during the final season Hall of Famer John Riggins was playing his final season before retirement. Splitting carries throughout the year Rogers still managed to have his third 1,000 yard rushing season accumulating 1,093 overall and 7 touchdowns. It was obvious the torch was being handed down from Riggins to Rogers. 85' was a season to remember for all the Redskins almost as though a turning of the page when the world was watching a Monday Night Football contest against the New York Giants. This was the game Washington quarterback Joe Theismann had his career end after being sacked, leg broken and hanging out for everyone to see. The Redskins just missed the playoffs that year finishing with a 10-6 record.