South Carolina football: 4 players that could’ve been on Madden cover
By Jacob Elsey
4 former South Carolina football players that could’ve landed a spot on the Madden cover.
EA Sports released its 2022 Madden cover today, with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes landing on the front page. It’s just the second time in the game’s history that two players have shared the front cover, with Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polumalu also sharing the honor on Madden ’10.
The popular sports game has been in existence since the late 80s, and has become one of the most recognizable franchises in the video gaming community. While its popularity continues to grow, we do take one issue with the Madden series. It’s yet to feature a former South Carolina football player on the front cover.
That got us thinking; which former Gamecocks could’ve landed the honor? Below are our top four choices, in order of their entry into the NFL.
George Rogers
Rogers came into the league in the 1981 NFL Draft after taking home the Heisman trophy in his senior season in Columbia. He burst onto the scene with the Saints in his rookie campaign, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,671 yards. Rogers outrushed names like Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Billy Sims, and Tony Dorsett on his way to a Pro Bowl.
In year two, Rogers finished second in the league in yards per game, averaging 89.2 yards a contest, and in year three he tallied another 1,000-yard season. Rogers would later go on to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns in the 1986 campaign, crossing the goal line 18 times and eclipsing the 1,200-yard mark.
Between 1981 and 1986, the talented back scored 48 touchdowns, recorded five 900+ yard seasons, and averaged 81 yards per contest.
Madden, unfortunately, didn’t come out until after Rogers’ career had ended, but had he had the opportunity, the ball carrier most certainly would’ve been a candidate to land on the cover.