A legendary Buckeye is one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday, former Ohio State running back Eddie George was named among 25 modern-era player semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 by a 12-person selection committee.
Eddie George was inducted into the @cfbhall's Class of 2011.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 28, 2023
He's now a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/qjbG83tvNS
George's Hall of Fame consideration comes from nine NFL seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennesee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. The Oilers' No. 14 overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft, George was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year later that season after he carried the ball 335 times for 1,368 yards and eight touchdowns in Houston.
As the Oilers relocated to Nashville and became the Titans, George carried that momentum with him, earning four Pro Bowl honors, a second-team All-Pro honor and a first-team All-Pro honor in the 1997-2000 seasons. In that span, he ran for 5,506 yards and 34 touchdowns on 1,428 carries.
The Philadelphia native played the next three seasons (2001-03) in Tennessee, collecting 970 carries for 3,135 yards and 22 scores. In 2003, George surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards and became the second running back in NFL history to reach that milestone while never missing a start, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown. In 2004, George finished his career in Dallas, where he ran for 432 yards and four touchdowns on 132 carries as a backup for the Cowboys.
Across all nine seasons, George's career totals include 10,441 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns on 2,865 carries. He also recorded 268 receptions for 2,227 yards and 10 scores as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
At Ohio State, George ran for 3,768 yards and 44 touchdowns from 1992-95. As a senior, George won the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award for a season in which he carried the ball 328 times for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was also named first-team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten MVP and a unanimous All-American for his efforts.
The next step in the selection process comes when the list is trimmed to 15 modern-era player finalists. George was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022 but did not make the cut that year.
When the 15 finalists are selected, the list of nominees will then increase to 19 finalists overall with the inclusion of coach Buddy Parker and senior player nominees Randy Gradishar, a former Ohio State linebacker, with Steve McMichael and Art Powell.
