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10 greatest Georgia football NFL careers in school history

By Josh Yourish

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) returns a kickoff for a touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty. Georgia won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) returns a kickoff for a touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty. Georgia won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charley Trippi on the sidelines with Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill against the Detroit Lions game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charley Trippi on the sidelines with Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill against the Detroit Lions game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Charley Trippi (RB, QB, DB). 5. player. 32. . .

Georgia: 1942, 1945, 1946

NFL: 1947-55

Teams: Chicago Cardinals

Accomplishments: Hall of Fame, NFL Champ, 2x Pro Bowl, 1x NFL Champ

Charley Trippi played 99 career games in the NFL and finished with 3,506 rushing yards, 2,547 passing yards, and 1,321 receiving yards. He also recorded four career interceptions on defense, returned punts and kicks, and punted himself.

In the 1947 NFL Championship game, Trippi totaled 206 yards, 102 of which came on punt returns. He scored twice, a 75-yard punt return TD, and a 44-yard run out of the backfield. His Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21.

Jan 31, 1999; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) carries the ball against Atlanta Falcons defenders Eugene Robinson (41), John Burrough (91), and Ray Buchanan (34) during Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 1999; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) carries the ball against Atlanta Falcons defenders Eugene Robinson (41), John Burrough (91), and Ray Buchanan (34) during Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 45. . . . Terrell Davis (RB). 4

Georgia: 1992-94

NFL: 1995-2001

Teams: Denver Broncos

Accomplishments: Hall of Fame, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl XXXII MVP, 2x Super Bowl Champ, 2x Offensive Player of the Year, 3x All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowl, All-1990s Team

Terrell Davis did not have the longevity of other great running backs, but he reached levels of dominance that few ever have. As a rookie sixth-round pick, Davis flourished in head coach Mike Shanahan’s system rushing for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting.

Then, Davis’s career took off. From 1996-98 he had one of the greatest three-year stretches any running back has ever had, rushing for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns, 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, and 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns respectively. He won Offensive Player of the Year twice, MVP in 1998, and back-to-back Super Bowls with John Elway.

In those back-to-back playoff runs, Davis amassed seven consecutive 100-yard games, including a franchise record 199 yards against the Dolphins in the 1998 divisional round.

After 1998, the wheels fell off and Davis dealt with frequent injuries. He ran for just over 1,000 yards across the next three seasons and retired after the 2001 campaign.

Feb 06, 2005; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour (93) and Mike Vrabel (50) react against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Feb 06, 2005; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour (93) and Mike Vrabel (50) react against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports /

player. 47. . . . Richard Seymour (DT). 3

Georgia: 1997-2000

NFL: 2001-2012

Teams: New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders

Accomplishments: Hall of Fame, 3x Super Bowl Champ, All-2000s Team, 7x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro

Seymour wasn’t the only NFL player on Georgia’s defensive line between 1997-2000, but he was the best one. Seymour was taken sixth overall in the 2001 draft by Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots and anchored their defensive line for the first half of Belichick and Tom Brady’s dynasty in Foxborough.

His greatest stretch of play came from 2003-05, the three seasons he was selected first-team All-Pro. Seymour recorded 57.5 sacks in his career and his team’s, both New England and Oakland, went 46-8-0 in games he recorded a sack.

DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 13: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos plays defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 35-19. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 13: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos plays defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 13, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 35-19. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

45. . . . Champ Bailey (CB). 2. player

Georgia: 1996-98

NFL: 1999-2013

Teams: Washington Football Team, Denver Broncos

Accomplishments: Hall of Fame, All-2000s Team, 12x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro

Champ Bailey played both ways for his three seasons at Georgia, excelling as a cornerback and wide receiver. When he was drafted seventh overall in the 1999 NFL draft by Washington, he chose the defensive side of the ball.

Still, Bailey kept his great hands and a nose for the football. As a rookie, Bailey became the youngest player to ever record three interceptions in a game. He finished that season with five picks and one touchdown. He finished second for defensive rookie of the year.

Bailey’s best year came in Denver in 2006 when he led the league with a staggering 10 interceptions. He finished his career with 52 picks and 203 pass breakups across his 215 games with Washington and Denver.

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