| In football today we talk a lot about "all purpose" yards, | | | | Bypassing the NFL's San Diego Chargers, who had |
| but that term probably got its origin with the exploits of | | | | drafted him in the first round but didn't offer enough |
| Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner | | | | money, Rodgers went to the Montreal Alouettes of |
| from the University of Nebraska. Rodgers was truly a | | | | the Canadian Football League, where he became the |
| multiple threat on the football field, lining up as a wide | | | | CFL's Outstanding Rookie in 1973, the Jeff Russel |
| receiver, running back, and kick returner for the | | | | Trophy winner (most outstanding player in East |
| dynamic Husker teams which he helped lead to | | | | Division) in 1974 and '75, and a CFL All-Star selection at |
| national championships in 1970 and 1971. | | | | both running back and wide receiver. He also was a |
| In three years, Rodgers posted the astounding total of | | | | member of Montreal's 1974 Grey Cup championship |
| 6059 all-purpose yards, and set an NCAA record with | | | | team, which was coached by Marv Levy. |
| nine kick returns for touchdowns in his career. Rodgers | | | | Rodgers finally landed in San Diego in 1977, but spent |
| seemed to be at his most brilliant in the big games - his | | | | only a couple of seasons with the Chargers, tearing up |
| 72-yard punt return for a touchdown kicked off the | | | | his knee in 1978, and bringing his football career to an |
| scoring in the ballyhooed "Game of the Century" | | | | unfortunate halt. But he eventually went back to get |
| between #1 Nebraska and #2 Oklahoma in 1971 (a | | | | degrees in advertising and journalism from Nebraska, |
| 35-31 Nebraska win), and in the next season's Orange | | | | and became involved in several community projects in |
| Bowl, he returned another punt 77 yards for a score | | | | the Omaha area, including the Johnny Rodgers Youth |
| as the Cornhuskers won the national title by routing | | | | Foundation, set up to foster youth programs, and offer |
| Alabama 38-6 in yet another #1 vs. #2 game. | | | | support for youth job training and employment. |
| But one of his greatest single performances, and one | | | | He also owns and operates JetWear Inc., a business |
| of the great displays in college football history, came in | | | | which manufactures and distributes bedding products |
| the 1973 Orange Bowl against Notre Dame, Rodgers' | | | | and novelty items which are licensed from various |
| last game, when he ran for three touchdowns, caught | | | | major universities. |
| a pass for a fourth, and THREW for a fifth, as | | | | Rodgers is still a very active participant in the Heisman |
| Nebraska rolled over the Irish, 40-6. With Rodgers, | | | | ceremonies, and in fact, got married in the Heisman |
| Nebraska compiled a 32-2-2 record from 1970 to 1972, | | | | room of the Downtown Athletic Club. When the |
| winning three Big Eight titles, three bowl games, and the | | | | University of Nebraska's All-Century team was |
| two national crowns. | | | | announced, he was the leading vote-getter, in a |
| A two-time All-American, Rodgers capped off his | | | | star-studded cast that included Roger Craig, Mike |
| career by winning the Heisman Trophy for the 1972 | | | | Rozier, and Rich Glover. And the ultimate accolade |
| season, winning the voting in every region and scoring | | | | came his way in 2000, when he was inducted into the |
| nearly three times as many first-place votes as | | | | College Football Hall of Fame along with John Elway, |
| second-place finisher Greg Pruitt of Oklahoma. | | | | Dan Dierdorf, and Marcus Allen, among others. |
| Rodgers was the first receiver in the two-platoon era | | | | Be on the lookout for an interview with Johnny |
| to win the award. | | | | Rodgers. |