Johnny Rodgers Johnny Steven Rodgers ( born July 5 , 1951 ) is a former American college football player voted the University of Nebraska ' s " " Player of the Century " " and the winner of the 1972 Heisman Trophy . College career . Nicknamed " The Jet " for his rapid acceleration and speed on the field , Rodgers was voted high school athlete of the year as a player for Omaha ' s Tech High . As a player with the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers , Rodgers served as a punt return specialist , pass receiver , and running back . Rodgers broke virtually every offensive team record , was twice named to the College Football All - America Team and won the Walter Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy in 1972 for most outstanding player in college football in the United States . In his three years with the Cornhuskers , the versatile Rodgers established an all - purpose NCAA yardage record of 5 , 586 . Former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne , who served as Nebraska ' s offensive coordinator in the early 1970s , wrote in his 1985 book " More Than Winning " that Rodgers had the greatest ability to return punts of any player he ever saw . Likewise , " College Football News " has described him as " the greatest kick returner in college football history . " Rodgers returned seven punts for touchdowns ( NCAA record at the time ) and one kickoff for a touchdown in his college career . Rodgers was , at one time , convicted of a gas station robbery while he was a student at the University of Nebraska in 1970 . He is the only Heisman winner who had a then - present felony conviction before receiving the award . He was pardoned by the Nebraska Board of Pardons , and his conviction was vacated , on November 14 , 2013 . In 1971 , in what has become known as college football ' s " Game of the Century , " Rodgers returned a punt 72 yards to score the first touchdown which set the tone for his team ' s 35 - 31 victory over the University of Oklahoma Sooners . ESPN describes Rodgers ' performance as " unforgettable . " However , some observers consider his greatest single performance to be in the 1973 ( post - 1972 season ) Orange Bowl when he led his team to a 40 - 6 victory over the University of Notre Dame . Rodgers ran for three touchdowns , caught a 50 - yard pass for another touchdown , and threw a 54 - yard touchdown pass to a teammate . He did all this before leaving the game with 21 minutes still to play . Professional career . Although a 1973 first - round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers , Rodgers signed a lucrative contract to play for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League where he was affectionately known as the " " ordinary superstar " " ( a nickname he coined . ) Always a fan favorite , Rodgers won the CFL ' s Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 1973 . In his four years with the Alouettes , Rodgers won the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy twice ( Eastern division MVP and CFL runner - up ) , was either a CFL or Eastern all - star each season , and helped lead his team to a Grey Cup championship in 1974 . In 1977 , Rodgers returned to the United States , signing with the Chargers . Rodgers signed a $ 925 , 000 - plus contract with the San Diego Chargers . Hamstring injuries kept him out of the game for most of his first NFL season and the following year a freak knee injury sustained during team practice ended his career after only 17 NFL games . Legacy . In 1999 Rodgers was selected to the Nebraska All - Century Football Team via fan poll and named to the All - Century Nebraska football team by Gannett News Service . In 2000 he was voted the University of Nebraska ' s " Player of the Century " by " Sports Illustrated " . In 2002 he was named to the Athlon Sports Nebraska All - Time Team . He is one of only sixteen Cornhuskers to have his jersey retired by the team . In 1999 Rodgers was selected as a receiver by Sports Illustrated in their " NCAA Football All - Century Team " . Other receivers selected were Jerry Rice , Mike Ditka , Pat Richter , Tim Brown , Raghib Ismail , Don Hutson , Bennie Oosterbaan , Howard Twilley , Ted Kwalick , Anthony Carter , Keith Jackson and Desmond Howard . Rodgers was one of six Nebraska Cornhuskers on this All - Century Team 85 man roster ; the others being Rich Glover , Dave Rimington , Dean Steinkuhler , Tommie Frazier and Aaron Taylor . In 1999 Rodgers was selected as a starting receiver to the Walter Camp Football Foundation College Football All Century Team . Other receivers selected were Fred Biletnikoff , Tim Brown , Bernie Oosterbaan , Larry Kelley , Raghib Ismail , Don Hutson , Howard Twilley and Keith Jackson . Rodgers was one of six Nebraska Cornhuskers selected to this 83 man roster ; the others being Rimington , Steinkuhler , Will Shields , Frazier and Taylor . On the " College Football News " list of the 100 Greatest Players of All - Time , Johnny Rodgers was ranked # 44 . In 2007 , he was ranked # 23 on ESPN ' s Top 25 Players In College Football History list . In 2000 Johnny Rodgers was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and was also voted the " Most Valuable Player " in the history of the Big Eight . Johnny Rodgers also remains a legend north of the border in Montreal . The Alouettes honored him with a special homecoming on September 11 , 2011 , 35 years since he last wore a Larks uniform . He was greeted with a standing ovation . Personal life . Rodgers was reported to have become a devotee of Guru Maharaj Ji , head of the Divine Light Mission , in 1974 . Today , Rodgers is a businessman in Omaha , Nebraska where he operates a sports marketing company and bedding products manufacturer . He also works with his alma mater to encourage athletes who dropped out of school to return and complete their educations . Rodgers has also authored a book entitled " An Era of Greatness " about the University of Nebraska football team during his playing days . In 2007 Rodgers was a brief partner in a sports bar located in midtown Omaha bearing his name . In less than one year the partnership fell apart and dueling lawsuits ensued . Johnny is currently creating a mentoring program for children with other football and sport professionals .