George Rogers ( American football ) George Washington Rogers ( born December 8 , 1958 ) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League ( NFL ) for seven seasons during the 1980s . Rogers played college football for the University of South Carolina , earned All - America honors , and won the 1980 Heisman Trophy . He was the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft , and he played professionally for the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins of the NFL . As a pro , Rogers rushed for over 7 , 000 yards . He is also known as the greatest player to ever play at the University of South Carolina . Early years . Rogers was born in Duluth , Georgia . College career . Rogers was highly recruited out of high school , and decided to attend the University of 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 stage was set when the Gamecocks returned plenty of talent , which was headlined by senior and Heisman candidate Rogers . 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 as the 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 " 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 second . 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 . Professional career . 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 five Heisman Trophy winners selected by the Saints ( Danny Wuerffel in 1997 , Ricky Williams in 1999 , Reggie Bush in 2006 and Mark Ingram , Jr . in 2011 were the other four ) . In his first season , Rogers led the league in rushing with 1 , 674 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 sustain the Redskins decade of glory . Rogers had some of his biggest professional success in Washington , including another trip to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl title in 1987 , defeating the Denver Broncos , 42 - 10 , in Super Bowl XXII . Rogers , however , retired due to nagging injuries after the 1987 season , ending his professional career in style with the Super Bowl XXII victory . When he left the NFL , Rogers had rushed for 7 , 176 yards with 54 touchdowns in seven seasons . Rogers ranks second all time to Eric Dickerson on the single season rookie rushing yards record with 1 , 674 yards . Seasons among the NFL ' s top 10 . Rushes : 1981 ( 1st ) , 1986 ( 6th ) Rushing yards : 1981 ( 1st ) , 1983 ( 10th ) , 1986 ( 7th ) Rushing TDs : 1981 ( T - 2nd ) , 1986 ( 1st ) , 1987 ( T - 10th ) Yards from scrimmage : 1981 ( 5th ) Rush / Receive TDs : 1981 ( T - 5th ) , 1986 ( 1st ) Other honors . In 1992 , Rogers was named to the All - Century Team at University of South Carolina . He holds memberships in the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame , the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame , and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame . In 1997 , he received the honor of being inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame . Also , the road that runs along the north end of Williams - Brice Stadium was renamed in his honor and is now known as George Rogers Boulevard .