In the heart of South Carolina, just 20 minutes from Williams-Brice Stadium, lives a football legend whose legacy has stood the test of time. George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most beloved Gamecocks of all time, continues to inspire fans not just for his accomplishments on the field, but for his humility, resilience, and enduring spirit.
Recently featured on the Sports Legends of the Carolinas podcast, Rogers opened up about his life before, during, and after football — sharing stories marked by struggle, triumph, and a grounded perspective that’s as powerful as any highlight reel.
Rogers grew up in poverty. “We were on welfare,” he recalls. “We were happy just to have food — peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, almost all the time. Hot dogs. Maybe, sometimes, hamburgers.” But despite the hardships, Rogers speaks fondly of his childhood, particularly the bond he shared with his mother. “My mom was a hard-working lady. I loved my mom. Every time she left the house, I tried to follow her everywhere,” he says with a chuckle. “She’d say, ‘Boy, I told you not to follow me.’”
It’s this mixture of grit and warmth that has defined Rogers throughout his life. He didn’t dream of football stardom from the start. In fact, his first encounter with the sport was more confusing than inspiring. “The first time I played football, I didn’t even know what I was doing,” he admits. “The quarterback said he was going to pitch the ball to me, and when he did, I saw all those guys coming at me, so I threw it right back to him.” After being knocked around and leaving the field dazed, he asked, “What’d I do wrong?” The coach simply replied, “You’re supposed to get the ball and go.”
From that rocky start, Rogers grew into a powerhouse running back. During his college career at the University of South Carolina, he recorded 27 games with over 100 rushing yards — a school record that cemented his place in Gamecock history. In 1980, after a stellar senior season, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest individual honor. That same trophy, which Rogers proudly displays in his TV room, often surprises visitors with its hefty weight — a fitting metaphor for the hard work it took to earn it.
Rogers was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He led the league in rushing as a rookie and later played for Washington, where he capped off his career with a Super Bowl victory in 1987. In just seven seasons, he scored 18 touchdowns in a single year and made two Pro Bowl appearances.
After retiring at 29, life threw new challenges his way, but Rogers has faced them with the same determination and ever-present smile that carried him through the toughest defenses. Today, at 64, he enjoys life with his wife Brenda and remains a local icon — commemorated in bronze with a 13-foot statue near the stadium where he became a legend.
To hear more of George Rogers’ remarkable journey, tune into the full conversation on the Sports Legends of the Carolinas podcast, available on all major platforms.