Time and Change: Eddie George
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In this edition of Time and Change we have the chance to visit with one of the greatest Buckeyes of all-time, Eddie George.
Since George was named Assistant Vice President of The Ohio State University in December of 2012, I have had a chance to reflect on Eddie's accomplishments both on and off the gridiron and I couldn't think of a better ambassador for our great university.
Many Buckeyegrove.com readers remember that I come from a rich Big Ten football back ground having relatives play for the Wisconsin badgers, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and myself at The Ohio State University.
I will never forget the 1992 Illinois Game, sitting in the horseshoe next to my brother, who had been the captain of the team and most valuable player for the Illini in 1975.
In that game, George lost a fumble at the Illinois' 4-yard line that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown. My brother was the only one cheering in our section of seats, where many Varsity "O" players sat. Later in the game, with Ohio State leading by 2 points in the final quarter, George fumbled again, this time on Illinois' 1-yard line. Illinois recovered the fumble and drove for the game winning touchdown. My brother laughed and razzed me. It was quite a while before George saw the playing field again and he only carried the ball 12 times for the remaining six games of the regular season. Something told me though, that George would have the last laugh.
Now, fast forward to George's senior year, 1995 and another game in Ohio Stadium against the Illini. My brother and I watched this game too, which ended with a much different result. Eddie rushed for a school-record 314 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in OSU's victory over Illinois. After his final play, he ran off the field to a thunderous ovation from Buckeye Nation, EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE. My brother just shook his head. I had the last laugh and Eddie George did too.
I believe that performance propelled him on to win the Heisman trophy and a terrific career in the National Football league. George believes differently. "I believe my first game against Illinois, my freshman year actually won me the Heisman, because it pulled something out of me that gave me discipline and focus that lasted the rest of my career."
"Then my senior year, I had the confidence, George said. Illinois was always tough against the run. It was a day when we had to run the football. They knew it and we knew it. I didn't focus on anything else other than giving maximum effort every time I touched the ball. They were a physical defense, but we took the fight to them. We were focused on beating the Illini and I was just focused on winning the ballgame for my team and that's what we did." Ohio State 41 Illinois 3.
We are all aware of George's accomplishments at Ohio State. The 1995 Heisman, 1st team All-American, 1996 1st round draft pick, No. 27 jersey retired and being elected to the college football Hall of Fame in 2011 make him one of the all-time greats in Ohio State history.
George went on to be named the NFL rookie of the year. He was named all-Pro 1997, 1998, 1999 & 2000. He played in Super Bowl XXXIV and completed nine terrific years in the NFL; eight with the Tennessee titans and one with the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite all of those successes, George might be even greater off the field.
While still playing for the Tennessee Titans, George came back to Ohio State in 2001 to fulfill his commitment to his mother, that he would always be a student athlete and that he would complete his college education by obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture.
Putting that degree to use, George then founded the Edge Group in 2003, which is a collaborative team of planners, landscape architects and development consultants. Some of their many noteworthy developments are the Gateway project to Port Columbus International Airport, the Master Plan for the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and Midtown Blacksburg in Blacksburg (Va.).
Another of George's developments is Eddie George's Grille 27, which is his signature sports Themed restaurant on the edge of campus at The Ohio State University.
George then began experimenting with sports broadcasting and entertainment. He has hosted a video-game themed show G4's Training Camp. He then served as a pre-game analyst for the 2007 BCS Championship Game on FOX and now he will be the studio analyst on Fox College Football.
"I had no idea that I wanted to get into broadcasting when I finished my playing days, George said. It kind of just stumbled upon me. I hosted a show on G4 early on called training days and I really enjoyed the hosting aspect of it and that really hooked me. Then opportunities came along with Fox to do a college football show as well as professional football and it kind of grew from there. I worked hard at it. I sought out coaches and mentors who could critique me and ensure I was on the trajectory to be one of the best in the business," George said.
In order to ensure he was the best in business, Eddie Gorge then earned his MBA from the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University. I have always strived to be the best I can be, George said. I wanted to be a good businessman and I wanted to understand all aspects of business like finance, operations, accounting and marketing. I always believed in education and I also wanted to be a role model for kids today," he said.
George certainly believes he could not have done all these things without the support of others.
In all my "Time and Change" articles, I always ask who is your Bob Fenton, who is that one person who went out of their way for you, unbeknownst to you, to help you succeed and be the person you have become.
George, as can be expected, was profound with his answer.
"It is my wife Tamara," George said. "That's why I married her. She has been in my corner since the day I met her. I cannot say enough about her unwavering support. She not only wanted to be with me because she loved me, but also to help me reach my full potential as a father, as a husband and as a man."
Considering all these accomplishments, it is no wonder that Eddie George was named Assistant Vice President and acting Ambassador for the Ohio State University last December.
"It is such an honor and privilege to be able to work for Ohio State, which gave me so much and helped me grow personally and professionally," George said in a news release. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to apply what I've learned from my academic and football journey while at the university, along with the work I've been doing in the world of business, to support the transformative initiatives happening at my alma mater."
Having had such tremendous experiences and successes on the field, one might be surprised at George's greatest experience in football.
"I had so many great experiences at Ohio State, George said. But the greatest experience had to be putting on that scarlet and gray jersey for the first time. Walking into the stadium on game day for the first time. It was real, it was visceral, it was tangible and you could taste the energy in the stadium. You could smell the grass and hear roar of the crowd. I dreamt about it as a child. To walk in there wearing that uniform to represent the scarlet and gray was awesome." And although I didn't play a lot that day, I relished the opportunity to cheer on my team mates.
As Assistant Vice President and as an ambassador for the Ohio State University, Eddie George will continue cheering on his team mates. You're a great Buckeye Eddie. We will keep cheering you on as well.
Some things should never change.
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