Jeff George (born December 8, 1967) is a former American football quarterback who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Known for possessing what many consider to be one of the strongest arms in league history, George was the first overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. Over his career, he threw for 27,602 passing yards, 154 touchdowns, and 113 interceptions. Early Life and College Career Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, George was a standout quarterback at Warren Central High School. He began his college career at Purdue University (1986–1987) before transferring to the University of Illinois. At Illinois, he flourished under head coach John Mackovic, winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 1989 as the nation’s top collegiate passer. The 1990 NFL Draft Entering the 1990 NFL Draft, George was the consensus top quarterback prospect. The Atlanta Falcons originally held the first overall pick, but because they already had a franchise quarterback in Chris Miller, the Chris Miller Indianapolis Colts (George’s hometown team) traded up to acquire the selection. The Colts sent Miller and multiple draft picks to Atlanta in exchange for the rights to draft George, making him a hometown hero. Indianapolis Colts (1990–1993) George’s tenure with the Colts featured flashes of brilliance mixed with team struggles. In 1992, he led the Colts to an AFC East division title under head coach Ted Marchibroda. However, George eventually developed a reputation for being difficult to coach and fell out with Marchibroda, leading to his benching in favor of Jim Harbaugh. In March 1994, the Colts traded George back to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for first- and third-round draft picks. Atlanta Falcons (1994–1996) Reunited with the Falcons, George was tasked with running head coach June Jones’ “Run-and-Shoot” offense. In 1995, he enjoyed a highly productive year, throwing for 4,143 yards and leading the Falcons to their first playoff appearance in several seasons. However, his time in Atlanta is most famously remembered for a public confrontation with his coach. On September 22, 1996, during a nationally televised game, cameras caught George getting into a heated, shouting argument on the sidelines with June Jones. Following the incident, George was benched, suspended, and eventually waived by the Falcons in October 1996. Oakland Raiders (1997–1998) George signed with the Oakland Raiders in 1997 and found a new lease on his career. Working under quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, George had arguably the finest statistical season of his career. In 1997, he threw for 3,917 yards, a career-high 29 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions, earning a 91.2 passer rating. His yardage total led the entire NFL that season, marking the peak of his individual accolades. Minnesota Vikings (1999) In 1999, George joined the Minnesota Vikings, stepping in as the starter for a high-powered offense featuring future Hall of Famers Randy Moss and Cris Carter. He went 8-2 in 10 regular-season starts, throwing for 2,816 yards and 23 touchdowns. His deep-ball accuracy perfectly complemented the Vikings’ explosive receiving corps. In the 1999 NFC Divisional Playoff game against the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” George threw for 423 yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling, high-scoring 49-37 loss. Washington Redskins and Retirement (2000–2004) George signed with the Washington Redskins in 2000, starting 11 games and posting a 6-5 record. He played his final NFL snaps for Washington in 2001. After leaving Washington, he attempted several comebacks, signing with the Seattle Seahawks as a backup in 2002 and with the Chicago Bears in 2004 to back up Chad Hutchinson, but he did not see regular-season action for either team. Legacy and Post-NFL Life Jeff George concluded his 12-season NFL career with a 46-78 record as a starting quarterback. While critics often pointed to his lack of sustained team success and clashes with coaches, his undeniable physical talent left a lasting impression on peers and fans, who frequently cite him as having one of the greatest pure throwing arms the league has ever seen. Since retiring, George has remained connected to the sport and his community. In 2022, he was inducted into the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame. He has made occasional media appearances and engaged in charitable efforts, such as helping foster families. The football legacy continues in his family; his son, Jeff George Jr., played college football as a quarterback at institutions including the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Illinois. Views: 2
Tag: College Football
Silly NCAA Rule
Why does the NCAA make silly rules? For now let us discuss just this one. For our reference let’s just call it the Indian rule. The NCAA says TRADITION has no say in the INDIAN rule. It is supposedly spurred by the Native American Indians who consider it an insult for a school to have an Indian name or mascot. The rule denies any school with any connection to an Indian name can not host an NCAA tournament. What about the IRISH (Notre Dame). Quakers, (University of Pennsylvania). Indian, Irish, or Quaker, they all have the same complaint. The Universities are using their names, and not all students attending are Indian, Irish, or for all I know Quakers. The names were picked out of RESPECT for the particular TRIBES native to that part of the country. Not disrespect. How many of these tribes would be known of , had it not been for the schools picking their name and spreading it all over the continent. I know there are a lot I would have never heard of; if not for the college connection. They spread the goodwill of these NATIVE Americans where ever they go. I can not recall any school doing anything to bring shame to the particular tribe. CAN YOU? Come on NCAA get into the real world. Unless a school has blemished the tribal name, let them host tournaments. We all know how the Native American helped our forefathers. We all know how our forefathers stole their land, and lifestyle. But the schools have chosen the name out of RESPECT. For all the things the Native American stood for. I hereby grant you, the NCAA permission to use my tribal name Lawrence, for a school nickname. That Is How I See It. Views: 122
Re: BCS Football Rankings
BCS Football Rankings mean NOTHING. I don’t know why people put so much emphasis on the BCS rankings. I’m not sure how they come up with their basis for rankings. I think they just pick their favorite teams. Maybe not so much now as it used to be. I remember one year when the Badgers of Wisconsin won more games against ranked teams than any of the Florida teams even played. But the Florida teams one was BCS ranked 1 st and another in the top 3 and Wisconsin further down the line. Granted the Florida teams put more points on the board. But somewhere you have to take into consideration the competition played. The Florida teams played a lesser difficult schedule and was able to run up scores and win by 20 points or more. But Wisconsin played more ranked schools and won by smaller margins. I don’t remember the year. BCS should be banished. A tournament should be set up. It should go something like this. Each Conference Champion should be in. There should be an at large bid for Independents in each region. Single elimination. Because there is approximately 5 weeks between the last regular season game and the bowl games, They would have time to play these games. Result would be a true National Champion. Second option would be. Play bowl (using either AP Poll or Coaches Poll games earlier and advance winners. I know this would cause some traditional bowl games to change their date that may be go back nearly a hundred years. But we would have a truer National Champion, than we now have. BCS is not the way to go. Never has been and never will be. For the sake of College Football. I say BOOT BCS. That Is How I See It Views: 307
Half Court uh Half Field Football
The Big Ten has announced a rule change for Saturdays football game at Wrigley Field. Northwestern University is playing Illinois at Wrigley Field Saturday. But with a twist. They say the the middle of the east end zone is too close to the playing field. So Eight months ago both schools and the Big Ten approved the layout of the field without any Safety Concerns . But after the field was layed out a conference official decided the heavily padded wall was a Safety hazard. Maybe the stadium has had some changes since the Chicago Bears played their games there. Or the field was just lain out poorly for this game. But for the Northwestern Vs Illinois game, all kickoffs will be to the East end of the field. At possession changes all offensive plays will be toward the West end zone. This being said, I wonder if, I am a defensive player and I intercept a pass, do I run East (as I should) or do I a reverse and run West. A coin flip was held by the conference Friday and Illinois will sit on the West end bench the 1st half, with Northwestern occupying the West end bench the 2nd half, and overtimes. I realize that player safety is of utmost importance. But after a year of planning, couldn’t they have figured out a better layout or decide it could not be safely played. But to wait until Friday, the day before the game? This could be an interesting thing. Probably a One Time Ever Event. I plan to watch just for the novelty. Game time is 3″30 pm EST, on ESPNU ( at least in my area). Watch it. I’ll bet even the officials get confused. That’s the way I see it. Views: 120
