'The Fridge' Makes SC Football Hall of Fame
By: Mandrallius Robinson, The Greenville News
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Nearly 30 years later, George Rogers still remembers that brief encounter.
Rogers won the Heisman Trophy in 1980 while at the University of South Carolina. Five years later, he was a running back for the Washington Redskins.
Rogers recalled Washington's visit to Chicago that season. He also recalled his failed attempt to block the Bears' 300-pound rookie defensive lineman known as "The Refrigerator."
Rogers did not relay many details but noted that the exchange left him horizontal.
Whether it ends with a big hit or a big laugh, encounters with William Perry are difficult to forget.
With a wide grin, Rogers reminded Perry of his impact Thursday night at the Cliffs Valley before welcoming Perry into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame.
"It's wonderful that the state took the initiative in recognizing me and wanting to induct me," said Perry, an Aiken native who became the first Clemson player to earn All-American honors in three consecutive seasons.
Prior to that streak, Perry started the final three games of his freshman season in 1981. He helped Clemson earn its only national championship. The Bears selected Perry in the first round of the 1985 draft. During his rookie season, which included a 45-10 win against Rogers' Redskins, Perry helped Chicago win its only Super Bowl.
Perry admitted the 1981 title could not trump the Super Bowl ring, especially the thrill of his legendary one-yard touchdown plunge that night. Yet, he asserted that his encounters at Clemson still are difficult to forget.
"Those days and everything, it was great," Perry said. "You always think about where you played and how much fun you had with the guys on the team and the coaches. Sometimes you wish you were still there playing."
Perry was one of four inductees honored Thursday.
Former South Carolina State coach Willie Jeffries accepted the distinction on behalf of a former teammate. Jeffries knew him as David Jones. Most others knew him as Deacon.
Also known as the Secretary of Defense, Deacon Jones played two seasons with Jeffries at State. Jones is credited with coining the term "quarterback sack," although he never was credited for one during his NFL career.
The Rams organization, for which Jones played 11 seasons, has estimated that Jones amassed 173.5 sacks through his career. That would have been the NFL record when Jones retired in 1974, and it would have stood until 2000. However, the NFL did not start counting sacks until 1982, two years after Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jones passed away last June.
"It's my pleasure to receive this for him," said Jeffries, who was inducted last year. "It's really good to recognize these players and rekindle their names."
Former NFL star receivers Sterling Sharpe and Freddie Solomon also were inducted.
Sharpe, who was selected for the College Football Hall of Fame last week, compiled 169 receptions for 2,497 yards and 17 touchdowns at South Carolina from 1983 to 1987. He was drafted seventh overall by the Green Bay Packers in 1988. He was selected for five Pro Bowls and led the NFL with 108 receptions and 1,461 yards in 1992.
Solomon, a Sumter native, played 11 seasons in the NFL, the final eight with the San Francisco 49ers. He won two Super Bowls and closed his NFL career with 371 receptions for 5,486 yards and 48 touchdowns.
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