Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

George Rogers

University of South Carolina 1980 Heisman Trophy Winner

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

1. George Rogers Marker

Inscription.
George Rogers enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1977 and became one of the greatest football players in school history. In 1980, Rogers received the Heisman Trophy and holds the distinction of twice finishing in the Top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting. During his career at Carolina, Rogers rushed for 5,204 yards, gaining more than 100 yards in each of his final 22 college games. His 31 career rushing touchtowns and 202 career points broke USC records and rank among the most in school history. Rogers was a First-Team All-American in his junior season and a consensus First-Team All-American in his senior season. His Jersey Number 38, was retired during halftime ceremonies at Carolina's final 1980 home game. The New Orleans Saints selected Rogers as the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1981 and was a pro bowl selection in 1981 and 1982. He won the Super Bowl as a member of the 1987 Washington Redskins. Rogers is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. His

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impact in the Columbia area continues through the George Rogers Foundation, helping students achieve the success that he attained during his years at Carolina.

George Rogers
Official Team Records: 1977-1980 Career Rushing Yards: 5,204 • Rushing Attempts: 954 • 100-Yard Rushing Games: 27 • All-Purpose Yards: 5,932

George Rogers
Official Team Records: 1980 Season Rushing Yars: 1,894 • Rushing Attempts: 324 • 100-Yard Rushing Games: 12 • All-Purpose Yards: 1,917

Chuck Allen, Team Captain • Jerry Aubin • Mark Austin • John Bailey • Ed Baxley • Gordon Beckham • Fred Berkeley • Todd Berry • Terry Bishop • Dominique Blasingame • Pat Bowen • Mark Bridges • Gary Burger • Gary Byers • Freddy Chalmers • Dewayne Chivers • Ben Cornett • Kevin Crocker • Cas Danielwoski • San Dodgen • Joe Doyle • Mike Durrah • Timmy Dyches • Ricky Elliott • Phil Ellis • Chuck Finney • Mark Fleetwood • Mark Florio • Jay Frye • J.D. Fuller • Jake Gadsden • Steve Gettel • Kenny Gil • Timmy Gillespie • Bryant Gilliard • Dave Golempiewski • Rickey Hagood • Garry Harper • Hal Henderson

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

2. George Rogers Marker

• Karey Johnson • Walt Kater • Jeff Kendziorski • Timmy Lee • Eddie Leopard • Marc Loggins • Tom Lux • Paul Martin • Donnie McDaniel • Greg McDonald • James McKie • Jim Nicastro • Chris Norman • Robert Perlotte • Dalton Prickett • Philip Proctor • Rubin Proctor • Adnrew Provence • Percy Reeves • Timmy Rhino • Ty Reietkovich • Ralph Roe • George Rogers, Team Captain • Rusty Russell • George Schecterly • Willie Scott • Hank Scroggin • Harry Skipper • Chuck Slaughter • Horace Smith • George Smith • Tommy Smoake • Freddy Snow • Josh Starks • John Tanner • Randy Teston • Troy Thomas • Tom Thomas • Jim Turner • Greg Turner • Mike Vargo • Timmy Vaughn • Phillip Vickery • Paul Vogel • Jim Walsh • Emmanuel Weaver • Carl West • Scott Wiggins • Del Wilkes • Paul Williams • Carl Womble • Glenn Woodley • Johnnie Wright

University of South Carolina 1980 Football Coaching Staff Jim Carlen, Head Coach & Athletics Director • Richard Bell, Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator • Jack Fligg, Administrative Assistant & Offensive Coordinator

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

3. George Rogers Marker

• Bob Brown, Offensive Backfield • Dale Evans, Defensive Backfield • Larry New, Defensive Line • Jerry Sullivan, Offensive Receivers • Ray Goff, Offensive Assistant • Bob Roe, Defensive Assistant

This statue was made possible through a generous gift from
Mr. James H. Shelley
Mrs. Patricia Knight Shelley Jim and Patti of Columbia and Hartsville, SC are dedicated and lifelong Gamecocks who have made lasting impact on the future of South Carolina Athletics.

Erected 2015 by Mr. James H. Shelley and Mrs. Patricia Knight Shelley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1977.

Location. 33° 58.4′ N, 81° 1.25′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is at the intersection of George Rogers Boulevard and Bluff Road (South Carolina Route 48), on the right when traveling east on George Rogers Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1174 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

4. George Rogers Marker

in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The "Columbiad" Cannon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mill Village Yard (approx. half a mile away); Outhouse (approx. half a mile away); Original Mill Village Outhouse (approx. half a mile away); Vintage Tool and Toy Collection (approx. half a mile away); Clothes Washing Station (approx. half a mile away); Jaco's Corner (approx. 0.6 miles away); Quarry - 'Rock Hole' (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Friday’s Ferry (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

George Rogers Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

5. George Rogers Statue

Nearby South Carolina Gamecocks Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

6. Nearby South Carolina Gamecocks Sculpture

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.