George Rogers shares thoughts on Gamecocks revealing 1980 Heisman year-inspired uniforms

When South Carolina takes the field to play Akron this September, one look at the Gamecocks uniforms will bring fans back in time to the days of George Rogers. An honor that the Heisman Trophy winner admitted is pretty special.

“It’s cool that they think that highly of that era to bring those uniforms back,” Rogers told GamecockCentral. “I’m 65 years old now and some of those things that we did during those days still get talked about. That’s pretty cool.”

The red face mask, white helmet design that dawns four stars in the front, three stripes down the middle, and the Gamecock “Block C” design on both sides, was worn between the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. Although it was most notably worn during Rogers’ 1980 Heisman Trophy season, the legendary running back says that those uniforms symbolize more than that.

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“We had two eight wins seasons, back-to-back, after struggling to win many games before those years. That was the first time that had ever happened for (South Carolina). It’s not great but for us, at the time, that was big. We went out as winners.”

After winning just ten games combined in 1977 and 1978, the Gamecocks went 16-8 in the following two years. Those years would mark Rogers’ junior and senior seasons, in which he rushed for 1,681 yards and 1,894 yards. To this day, they remain the two most rushing yards in a season by any South Carolina running back.

“I’m like everyone else. I don’t like to lose. I wanna win. I’m not a loser, I’m a winner. And that’s what we did.”

Much like how South Carolina is bringing the past to present with these throwback uniforms, Rogers hopes that the fanbase can do the same when it comes to support.

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“We had great fans when I played during those years and even when we did lose some games they hung in there with us. Regardless of what this year’s team is wearing, I want them to hang in there with the guys now.

While seeing South Carolina wear those throwback uniforms come September 21 will be special, Rogers made it clear what he’s most eager to see.

“I’m more excited just to see them out there to see what this year’s team can do. It’s how they play, not how we look at them because of what they’re wearing. We can call the uniforms whatever we want to but they have to bring out their own identity. They could wear their (street) clothes if they want to. As long as they win, we won’t care,” Rogers said with a big laugh.

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