For a program with an avid football base, but not much success, Rogers was the hero of the Palmetto State during his playing years. In his senior season, he led the NCAA in rushing, and convincingly won the Heisman Trophy. He was so beloved, Carolina retired his jersey...while he was still playing for the Gamecocks.

"There wasn't much winning in the history of South Carolina then," said Rogers. "I think that's why they retired my jersey so fast."

New Orleans coach Bum Phillips, whose Saints picked Rogers first in the NFL Draft, said Rogers had the unique ability to either "dodge a defender or run straight over them." Rogers would lead the league in rushing in his rookie year, and be named NFL Rookie of the Year.

"I wish I had dodged more," Rogers said, laughing. "Maybe I'd look better then I do now."

Although Carolina was an independent, seeking to build a winning tradition, Rogers had no hesistation picking the Gamecocks out of high school.

"They had two senior running backs leaving the school," he said. "I could get playing time right away if I went to South Carolina. Jim Carlen was my coach back then, and he was really a great man and great coach. And the fans at South Carolina; they are second to none. They show up and fill the place whether we're winning or we're losing. They are truly the best fans in the country."

Rogers also had high praise for his teammates on the offensive line.

"My offensive line was great," Rogers said. "When the game was over, they'd ask me how many yards I had gotten that night. I'd tell them around 150 or so, and they'd say 'we'll do better next time.' That always inspired me to do better."

Although his Super Bowl ring proudly rests on his left hand, it's the four years he spent playing in Columbia that mean the most to him. Gamecock garnet blood is what flows through his blood, and beats in his heart.

"The win over Clemson in '79, that was better than winning the Super Bowl," Rogers said. "We rarely beat Clemson back then, but we beat them that year. Over in Clemson, everyone points out the two Heisman winners that never scored against them: myself and Herschel Walker. But we point out that to find a Heisman Trophy, they have to go to South Carolina."

Tears came to his eyes as he spoke of the Clemson game, and it was easy to see how much it meant to win for the Gamecocks, and how proud he was to be part of South Carolina's history.

"I'll do anything for these guys," he said. "I'm not an aggressive recruiter, but if Coach Spurrier or any of the coaches ask for my help, I'll help them. I'll tell every one of them that if they want to go to a REAL school, they should go to South Carolina."

So, while the #38 jersey of George Rogers sits on the wall of the Crews Center at South Carolina, there is little doubt that his legacy, and a big piece of his heart, sits everywhere at Williams-Brice Stadium.