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Eddie George

Running Back

Inducted 2011

Date of Birth

9/24/1973

Birthplace

Philadelphia, PA

School

Ohio State University (1992-1995)

Bio

A Philadelphia native, Eddie George attended Abington Senior High School until the 10th grade and then transferred to Fork Union Military Academy. At Fork Union, George attracted the attention of many college football programs but most of those colleges were recruiting him at linebacker instead of running back. When asked why he chose Ohio State, George replied, “I didn’t want to change and that is why I chose Ohio State. They gave me a chance to run the ball.” Ohio State may have regretted that decision in his freshman year in a game against Illinois as George fumbled twice on critical drives inside the 5-yard line; the first one ending up in a 96-yard touchdown for Illinois. In spite of the setback, Coach John Cooper stayed with George at running back because of both the talent and the hard work that George contributed. George was a force to be reckoned with his senior season, having 12 straight games of at least 100 rushing yards or more, winning the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Doak Walker Award and Jim Brown Award, leading the nation in scoring, placing fourth in all-purpose yards, fifth in rushing yards per game and yards per carry. While at OSU, George helped the Buckeyes to an overall 38-9-2 record, and a 24-6-2 mark in Big Ten play, where Ohio State never finished lower than second during George's tenure. George notched 3,768 total rushing yards, 44 rushing touchdowns, and had 20 100-yard rushing games while setting records with five 200-yard games and 12 consecutive 100-yard games. George, has his No. 27 jersey number retired at Ohio State. The fourteenth overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, he played in four Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro in 2000. He set virtually every career rushing record for the Tennessee Titans, and helped Tennessee reach Super Bowl XXXIV. George shared the distinction with Jim Brown as the only 10,000 yard runners in NFL history never to miss a start.