With the 14th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, the Houston Oilers selected Eddie George, a prolific running back out of Ohio State University. As a Buckeye, George amassed career totals of 45 touchdowns, 4,284 all-purpose yards, and a 5.5 yards-per-carry average – not too shabby. However, it is his 1995 season that truly set him apart from the rest of the nation.
After starting 11-0, the Buckeyes would lose to Michigan and Tennessee (in the Citrus Bowl) to finish 11-2. It wasn’t for lack of production from George – he ran for 1,927 yards, including a 314-yard game against Illinois. Both were good enough to earn him the Heisman Trophy. Both remain school records for rushing yards in a season and game.
In fact, George still holds five major Ohio State rushing records to this day. In 2011, his spectacular college career was rewarded with a setting in the College Football Hall of Fame.
As an Oiler/Titan, George never missed a start – a gaudy accomplishment that is amazing in and of itself. He was a true “iron man” on a team of “iron men.” George spent eight seasons as a Houston Oiler/Tennessee Titan, and one as a Dallas Cowboy. He finished his career with 10,441 rushing yards, 2,227 receiving yards, and 78 total touchdowns – putting him right on the cusp of a Hall-of-Fame career.
Part of that career wasn’t built by stats and numbers, but the style and heart with which George played. In fact, if you asked most Titans fans who the greatest Titan of all time is, they’re just as likely to say George as they would Steve McNair.
The two are head and shoulders above the next tier of great Titans, but both played with such heart and passion, that they played a key role in creating the winning environment surrounding the team in the early 2000s.
In the end, nagging injuries and a refusal to take a pay cut led Bud Adams to release George after the 2003 season.
He was one of the pioneers of the transition from Houston to Nashville, and often evokes fond memories of an exciting time in not just Titans/Oilers history, but Nashville history as well.
A career in television awaited George after his retirement – he would go on to cover college football for Fox Sports, and dabble in color commentary for the Titans preseason games. These days, he finds himself immersed in the world of theatre, having performed at the Belcourt Theatre, and twice at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.
There is no Titan in team history that is as decorated and multi-talented as Eddie George – the quintessential Renaissance man.
(Originally posted on Pro Football Spot)
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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