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Ex-Titans star George says team in transition
By Jeff Birchfield
Press Sports Writer
[email protected]
Eddie George and Steve McNair were the faces of the Tennessee Titans franchise. Over the past three years, Tennessee fans expressed anger and disgust after the team ushered these marquee players and backup quarterback Billy Volek out of the Volunteer State. George, the Titans? all-time rushing leader with 10,009 yards, said Tennessee fans are merely getting educated about an unseemly side of the business.
?If you look at it, this is the first time the fans have seen this side of the business,? said George, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Titans. ?When we got to town, we were a young team with a lot of ambition. People were just familiar with the whole logistics of the NFL and how it works. Now we have guys who were entrenched in the community for so long to be treated a certain way because of business, it?s hard for fans to stomach that.
?It happens in 32 other cities unfortunately, but they handle it a different way than most organizations do. With that being said, the Titans will have their run again and be back at the top. When I don?t know, but I think it will happen sooner than you think.?
The former tailback isn?t too harsh in his assessment of Tennessee?s current NFL team. You can hear by the tone of his voice a genuine fondness for head coach Jeff Fisher.
?They are a team right now searching for an identity,? said George. ?They are in good hands with Jeff Fisher. I also believe Vince Young will be a great young quarterback once they get the right weapons around him. They are a team that?s definitely playing for their coach and they will be dangerous the second half of the season. I don?t think other teams will want to play them. They just need to get that identity of who they really are.?
Although he did spend 2004, the last year of his NFL career in Dallas, George remains a Titan at heart. There is even a chance you could see George suit up in a Tennessee uniform for a short-term deal.
?There have been some talks about that,? said George, now 33. ?I?m not sure when or how that would happen. I could definitely foresee that happening in the next year or so. I still stay in shape. I run and lift and I feel good.?
Staying in shape was the purpose of George visiting Johnson City. He was at the Center at Millenium Park along with Tennessee Governor Phil Bredsen to promote their ?GetFitTN? program. George uses a common sense approach to fitness, even loosening the belt a little on the weekends.
?I like to say I live a lifestyle of 80-20,? said George. ?About 80 percent of the time I eat healthy and the other 20 percent like on the weekends I allow myself a little freedom. You have to be living right, doing the right things, being conscious of what we?re putting into our bodies to live a longer, healthier lifestyle. More important you are an example for your children in terms of how you live, how you eat.?
The healthy attitude not something George has adapted overnight. While some NFL linemen threw caution to the wind when it came to food, George used a healthy diet to maintain a muscular 236-pound build on his 6-3 frame.
?What you put into your body as a player, I always watched my diet,? said George. ?I watched my sodium and sugar intake to maximize my efforts on the field. I used lots of supplements. Now with the NFL?s strict rules, you have to really watch what you put into your body. There are supplements that can get you in trouble. Now that I?m not playing and am traveling a lot, I do a lot of Vitamin C.?
On a recent trip to a team?s training compound, he saw a big improvement in the league?s attitude toward nutrition.
?When I was there, they still served the fried chicken, hot dogs and pizza,? said George. ?They never really pushed the eating healthy because they felt you were going to burn it off. But I went back to the facility and now you have options. You can have a hamburger or you can have the grilled chicken and brown rice. You have different things to choose from.?
These days, George stays fit to keep up with a hectic schedule. He has attacked this new phase of his professional life with the same intensity once shown on the field.
?I?m staying so busy,? said George. ?I?m doing the ?GetFitTN? and along with that, I have my own fitness components and healthy lifestyle business. I have my landscape architecture firm and I?m doing the television stuff for Fox Sports Net.
?Between all that, you have very little time to think about your (football) career in terms of how it ended or what aspirations you have to go back. It?s all about transitioning. That?s exciting to me right now. I?m just waiting to see where my career goes next.?
If he never dons a uniform again, George can still look back at a career that will surely land him in both the College and Professional Football Halls of Fame. Before coming to Tennessee as the No. 14 pick in the 1996 draft, George was a Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State.
As a former winner, he was asked about the 1997 Heisman race which Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson won over Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. To this date, it?s the only time a defensive player has won the award.
George saw both players first hand at the collegiate level. His senior season the Buckeyes lost 31-23 to Woodson?s Michigan team and 20-14 to Manning?s Tennessee Vols in the Citrus Bowl.
?That was so long ago, I really don?t remember,? he laughed. ?That was 1997. Obviously Peyton Manning was a great talent, but people overwhelmingly thought that Charles had a better year that year. It wasn?t a close race to my surprise. The knock on Peyton was he hadn?t won the big game against Florida. He?s still a phenomenal athlete and he?s a god in the NFL.?
George?s alma mater is currently ranked No. 1 in both the AP and BCS polls with arch-rival Michigan at No. 2. It has George waiting impatiently for next month?s showdown between the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
?They definitely look like the best team in the country and (quarterback) Troy Smith is my Heisman pick right now,? said George about Ohio State. ?It?s starting to shape up where it?s going to be between Ohio State and Michigan. To me, that?s going to be the National Championship game.
?Forget about the (BCS title) game in Arizona. You can?t ask for a better matchup or a better situation than Ohio State No. 1 against Michigan No. 2, both undefeated with everything on the line. I think the two best teams will face off on November 18.?
To NFL fans, they most remember George for a punishing running style, which helped him become the league?s 17th all-time leading rusher. He savors the time spent wearing the Titans? blue and white No. 27 after the franchise moved from Houston.
?There were so many great memories,? said George. ?I think definitely our trip to the Super Bowl in 2000 was one of the biggest memories. To start off as a vagabond team and to end up in Atlanta as a Super Bowl contender was exciting.?
Not only was Tennessee a contender, it nearly won Super Bowl XXXIV. A tackle by St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones on Titan receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line as time expired preserved a 23-16 victory. While George would have obviously liked a different outcome, he harbored no ill will toward Jones or the other Rams? players.
?There are no hard feelings,? said George. ?It was a hard-fought game and one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history. It still makes me sick that I never won it, but to be part of it was special. There aren?t any hard feelings. They were out there trying to make the plays and we were as well.?
Ex-Titans star George says team in transition
Eddie George was one of the keynote speakers Monday at the Children?s Health Summit held the Millennium Centre.
By Jeff Birchfield
Press Sports Writer
[email protected]
Eddie George and Steve McNair were the faces of the Tennessee Titans franchise. Over the past three years, Tennessee fans expressed anger and disgust after the team ushered these marquee players and backup quarterback Billy Volek out of the Volunteer State. George, the Titans? all-time rushing leader with 10,009 yards, said Tennessee fans are merely getting educated about an unseemly side of the business.
?If you look at it, this is the first time the fans have seen this side of the business,? said George, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Titans. ?When we got to town, we were a young team with a lot of ambition. People were just familiar with the whole logistics of the NFL and how it works. Now we have guys who were entrenched in the community for so long to be treated a certain way because of business, it?s hard for fans to stomach that.
?It happens in 32 other cities unfortunately, but they handle it a different way than most organizations do. With that being said, the Titans will have their run again and be back at the top. When I don?t know, but I think it will happen sooner than you think.?
The former tailback isn?t too harsh in his assessment of Tennessee?s current NFL team. You can hear by the tone of his voice a genuine fondness for head coach Jeff Fisher.
?They are a team right now searching for an identity,? said George. ?They are in good hands with Jeff Fisher. I also believe Vince Young will be a great young quarterback once they get the right weapons around him. They are a team that?s definitely playing for their coach and they will be dangerous the second half of the season. I don?t think other teams will want to play them. They just need to get that identity of who they really are.?
Although he did spend 2004, the last year of his NFL career in Dallas, George remains a Titan at heart. There is even a chance you could see George suit up in a Tennessee uniform for a short-term deal.
?There have been some talks about that,? said George, now 33. ?I?m not sure when or how that would happen. I could definitely foresee that happening in the next year or so. I still stay in shape. I run and lift and I feel good.?
Staying in shape was the purpose of George visiting Johnson City. He was at the Center at Millenium Park along with Tennessee Governor Phil Bredsen to promote their ?GetFitTN? program. George uses a common sense approach to fitness, even loosening the belt a little on the weekends.
?I like to say I live a lifestyle of 80-20,? said George. ?About 80 percent of the time I eat healthy and the other 20 percent like on the weekends I allow myself a little freedom. You have to be living right, doing the right things, being conscious of what we?re putting into our bodies to live a longer, healthier lifestyle. More important you are an example for your children in terms of how you live, how you eat.?
The healthy attitude not something George has adapted overnight. While some NFL linemen threw caution to the wind when it came to food, George used a healthy diet to maintain a muscular 236-pound build on his 6-3 frame.
?What you put into your body as a player, I always watched my diet,? said George. ?I watched my sodium and sugar intake to maximize my efforts on the field. I used lots of supplements. Now with the NFL?s strict rules, you have to really watch what you put into your body. There are supplements that can get you in trouble. Now that I?m not playing and am traveling a lot, I do a lot of Vitamin C.?
On a recent trip to a team?s training compound, he saw a big improvement in the league?s attitude toward nutrition.
?When I was there, they still served the fried chicken, hot dogs and pizza,? said George. ?They never really pushed the eating healthy because they felt you were going to burn it off. But I went back to the facility and now you have options. You can have a hamburger or you can have the grilled chicken and brown rice. You have different things to choose from.?
These days, George stays fit to keep up with a hectic schedule. He has attacked this new phase of his professional life with the same intensity once shown on the field.
?I?m staying so busy,? said George. ?I?m doing the ?GetFitTN? and along with that, I have my own fitness components and healthy lifestyle business. I have my landscape architecture firm and I?m doing the television stuff for Fox Sports Net.
?Between all that, you have very little time to think about your (football) career in terms of how it ended or what aspirations you have to go back. It?s all about transitioning. That?s exciting to me right now. I?m just waiting to see where my career goes next.?
If he never dons a uniform again, George can still look back at a career that will surely land him in both the College and Professional Football Halls of Fame. Before coming to Tennessee as the No. 14 pick in the 1996 draft, George was a Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State.
As a former winner, he was asked about the 1997 Heisman race which Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson won over Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. To this date, it?s the only time a defensive player has won the award.
George saw both players first hand at the collegiate level. His senior season the Buckeyes lost 31-23 to Woodson?s Michigan team and 20-14 to Manning?s Tennessee Vols in the Citrus Bowl.
?That was so long ago, I really don?t remember,? he laughed. ?That was 1997. Obviously Peyton Manning was a great talent, but people overwhelmingly thought that Charles had a better year that year. It wasn?t a close race to my surprise. The knock on Peyton was he hadn?t won the big game against Florida. He?s still a phenomenal athlete and he?s a god in the NFL.?
George?s alma mater is currently ranked No. 1 in both the AP and BCS polls with arch-rival Michigan at No. 2. It has George waiting impatiently for next month?s showdown between the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
?They definitely look like the best team in the country and (quarterback) Troy Smith is my Heisman pick right now,? said George about Ohio State. ?It?s starting to shape up where it?s going to be between Ohio State and Michigan. To me, that?s going to be the National Championship game.
?Forget about the (BCS title) game in Arizona. You can?t ask for a better matchup or a better situation than Ohio State No. 1 against Michigan No. 2, both undefeated with everything on the line. I think the two best teams will face off on November 18.?
To NFL fans, they most remember George for a punishing running style, which helped him become the league?s 17th all-time leading rusher. He savors the time spent wearing the Titans? blue and white No. 27 after the franchise moved from Houston.
?There were so many great memories,? said George. ?I think definitely our trip to the Super Bowl in 2000 was one of the biggest memories. To start off as a vagabond team and to end up in Atlanta as a Super Bowl contender was exciting.?
Not only was Tennessee a contender, it nearly won Super Bowl XXXIV. A tackle by St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones on Titan receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line as time expired preserved a 23-16 victory. While George would have obviously liked a different outcome, he harbored no ill will toward Jones or the other Rams? players.
?There are no hard feelings,? said George. ?It was a hard-fought game and one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history. It still makes me sick that I never won it, but to be part of it was special. There aren?t any hard feelings. They were out there trying to make the plays and we were as well.?
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George defends vote that cost UT Heisman
By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE ? Eddie George caused a stir around the state when he voted for Michigan's Charles Woodson over Peyton Manning for the Heisman Trophy back in 1997, and George would cast that same vote today if he had it to do all over again.
The former Titans All-Pro running back was on UT's campus Tuesday to promote Gov. Phil Bredesen's "GetFitTN" health and wellness campaign. George also spoke to the Tennessee football team prior to practice.
He kidded Coach Phillip Fulmer about the Vols using illegal soccer cleats during Tennessee's rain-soaked 20-14 win over Ohio State in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.
George, though, wasn't apologizing for the way he voted in 1997 for the Heisman Trophy. As the Heisman winner in 1995 while at Ohio State, George receives a vote each year.
"I believe to this day that Charles Woodson was the best player in the country that year. No question," said George, standing only a few yards away from a wax statue of Manning in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. "When you look at it, Peyton had the statistics and had the career, but it was about the best player that year. Woodson played offense and defense, put up the numbers and made big plays."
George said Manning's undoing in the Heisman Trophy balloting was his inability to beat Florida.
"The only thing that stopped Peyton was that he couldn't win the big one," George said. "He couldn't beat Florida. If he had done that and continued to have a great season, there's no question he would have won the Heisman."
Conveniently, George failed to mention that Ohio State, unbeaten and ranked No. 2 at the time, lost to Michigan the year he won the Heisman Trophy and blew a chance for a national championship. ?
George defends vote that cost UT Heisman
By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE ? Eddie George caused a stir around the state when he voted for Michigan's Charles Woodson over Peyton Manning for the Heisman Trophy back in 1997, and George would cast that same vote today if he had it to do all over again.
The former Titans All-Pro running back was on UT's campus Tuesday to promote Gov. Phil Bredesen's "GetFitTN" health and wellness campaign. George also spoke to the Tennessee football team prior to practice.
He kidded Coach Phillip Fulmer about the Vols using illegal soccer cleats during Tennessee's rain-soaked 20-14 win over Ohio State in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.
George, though, wasn't apologizing for the way he voted in 1997 for the Heisman Trophy. As the Heisman winner in 1995 while at Ohio State, George receives a vote each year.
"I believe to this day that Charles Woodson was the best player in the country that year. No question," said George, standing only a few yards away from a wax statue of Manning in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. "When you look at it, Peyton had the statistics and had the career, but it was about the best player that year. Woodson played offense and defense, put up the numbers and made big plays."
George said Manning's undoing in the Heisman Trophy balloting was his inability to beat Florida.
"The only thing that stopped Peyton was that he couldn't win the big one," George said. "He couldn't beat Florida. If he had done that and continued to have a great season, there's no question he would have won the Heisman."
Conveniently, George failed to mention that Ohio State, unbeaten and ranked No. 2 at the time, lost to Michigan the year he won the Heisman Trophy and blew a chance for a national championship. ?
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TexasBuck
Heisman
I loved when Emmitt Smith was asked something to the effect of "does Florida feel disrespected by the media coverage of them". Emmitt drew a blank and Eddie stepped in and answered the question for him.
At half time, you could easily observe that Eddie was devasted: Just like all the rest of us were. But as said above, he handled all the jeers with total class.
At half time, you could easily observe that Eddie was devasted: Just like all the rest of us were. But as said above, he handled all the jeers with total class.
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CPD
THE Q
With Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George of Ohio State, honored by the Cavaliers at halftime as one of the Black Sports Legends of Ohio.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Q: What happened to Ohio State?
A: You saw the same thing I did. They got their [butts] kicked. If you don't go out and play 60 minutes like you want, that's what's going to happen. I've never seen a Jim Tressel team go in to the game not ready to play. That's what you saw.
Continued...
THE Q
With Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George of Ohio State, honored by the Cavaliers at halftime as one of the Black Sports Legends of Ohio.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Q: What happened to Ohio State?
A: You saw the same thing I did. They got their [butts] kicked. If you don't go out and play 60 minutes like you want, that's what's going to happen. I've never seen a Jim Tressel team go in to the game not ready to play. That's what you saw.
Continued...
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Dispatch
Q & A with Eddie George
By James Walker
The Columbus Dispatch
Thursday, February 1, 2007
File photo Eddie George
Life after football has been pretty good for Eddie George.
Last week the former Ohio State running back and Heisman Trophy winner was one of four people honored by the Cleveland Cavaliers during their black heritage celebration.
Continued...
Q & A with Eddie George
By James Walker
The Columbus Dispatch
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Life after football has been pretty good for Eddie George.
Last week the former Ohio State running back and Heisman Trophy winner was one of four people honored by the Cleveland Cavaliers during their black heritage celebration.
Continued...
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Buckskin86
Moderator
New show stars wife of gridder, by George
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 3:46 AM
By Molly Willow
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Eddie George -- Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State and NFL running back -- is preparing for his debut as a second banana.
Beginning this weekend, George co-stars with wife Tamara A. Johnson-George ("Taj") in the new reality show I Married a Baller -- some of which was filmed last year in the Columbus area.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dis...18/1A_BALLER.ART_ART_04-18-07_G1_486DHT5.html
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 3:46 AM
By Molly Willow
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Eddie George -- Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State and NFL running back -- is preparing for his debut as a second banana.
Beginning this weekend, George co-stars with wife Tamara A. Johnson-George ("Taj") in the new reality show I Married a Baller -- some of which was filmed last year in the Columbus area.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dis...18/1A_BALLER.ART_ART_04-18-07_G1_486DHT5.html
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Buckskin86
Moderator
Football Star Eddie George to Host Lifestyle Radio Show on the Voiceamerica Network
Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star to host "Radio, By George!" on VoiceAmerica.
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) April 21, 2007 -- Modavox, Inc. (OTCBB: MDVX) Internet broadcasting pioneer, producing and syndicating online audio and video, today announced that Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL Running Back, commentator and philanthropist Eddie George joins the VoiceAmerica Network (http://www.voiceamerica.com), online internet talk radio network, as host of his new show, "Radio, By George!" debuting on April 23, 2007.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/4/emw520402.htm
Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star to host "Radio, By George!" on VoiceAmerica.
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) April 21, 2007 -- Modavox, Inc. (OTCBB: MDVX) Internet broadcasting pioneer, producing and syndicating online audio and video, today announced that Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL Running Back, commentator and philanthropist Eddie George joins the VoiceAmerica Network (http://www.voiceamerica.com), online internet talk radio network, as host of his new show, "Radio, By George!" debuting on April 23, 2007.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/4/emw520402.htm
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DDN
Former OSU star Eddie George talks about NFL, players getting in trouble, doing the right thing
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 26, 2007
DAYTON ? Eddie George, a tailback from Philadelphia, who was recruited as a linebacker by Penn State, was a two-year reserve tailback at Ohio State before rushing for more than 1,400 yards as a junior in 1994.
The next year he rushed for 1,927 yards, scored 24 touchdowns and won the Heisman Trophy as the Buckeyes went 11-1.
Cont...
Former OSU star Eddie George talks about NFL, players getting in trouble, doing the right thing
By Marc Katz
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 26, 2007
DAYTON ? Eddie George, a tailback from Philadelphia, who was recruited as a linebacker by Penn State, was a two-year reserve tailback at Ohio State before rushing for more than 1,400 yards as a junior in 1994.
The next year he rushed for 1,927 yards, scored 24 touchdowns and won the Heisman Trophy as the Buckeyes went 11-1.
Cont...
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Buckskin86
Moderator
Mothers Know Best: NFL Moms Team With Eddie George to Showcase a Better Way to a Healthier Lifestyle
Mothers Know Best: NFL Moms Team With Eddie George to Showcase a Better Way to a Healthier Lifestyle
Mothers Know Best: NFL Moms Team With Eddie George to Showcase a Better Way to a Healthier Lifestyle
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