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 in 2011 were the other four).
In his first season, Rogers led the league in rushing with 1,647 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 bring the Redskins back to 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. When he left the NFL, Rogers had rushed for 7,176 yards with 54 touchdowns in seven seasons.
Read more about this topic: George Rogers (American Football)
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