Name George Amundson Education Iowa State University Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight 98 kg Position Running back | College: Iowa State Career start 1970 Nominations Heisman Trophy Rushing yards: 194 Career end 1975 | |
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Date of birth: (1951-03-31) March 31, 1951 (age 64) NFL draft: 1973 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14 Role American football running back | ||
Place of birth: Pendleton, Oregon | ||
George amundson for parks and recreation
George Arthur Amundson (born March 31, 1951) is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa State, both at quarterback and running back.
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He has been inducted into both the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and Iowa State Hall of Fame.
Early years
Amundson was born in Pendleton, Oregon but grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota. At Aberdeen Central he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. As a high schooler Amundson set the state record in shot put and discus, the later of which he still holds. In football he was selected to the all-state team both as a linebacker and quarterback.
College career
Amundson was recruited to Iowa State both as a track & field athlete and as a football player. He would ultimately become a seven time letter winner, four in track & field and three in football.
The football field is where Amundson truly excelled and gained most of his recognition. George was recruited as a quarterback but had to play tailback his junior season due to several injuries on the team. He led the Cyclones to their first ever bowl berth in the 1971 Sun Bowl. That season he rushed for a then-record 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior season he was able to switch back to his natural position of quarter back where he became the first Cyclone to top 2,000 yards of total offense in a season. His 2,387 yards set a Big Eight Conference mark and earned him Big Eight Player of the Year honors, beating out Nebraska's Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers.
Professional career
At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Amundson was drafted by the Houston Oilers with the 14th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. He is the first and only first round NFL draft pick in Iowa State history. Amundson would play the following two season with the Oilers and his final NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles. His career stats are 74 rushes for 194 yards and four touchdowns.