NASHVILLE – Former Titans running back Eddie George on Wednesday was named one of 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.
George, who is the Titans/Oilers record holder for career rushing yards (10,009), is finished his career with 10,441 yards. George is the only running back in NFL history to record 300 or more carries for eight consecutive seasons.
"It's amazing," George said during an appearance on NFL Network on Wednesday. "It's such an honor to be considered for the NFL Hall of Fame. (It's) something that's completely out of your control. You try not to think about it, but to be considered for this – a semifinalist – is tremendous. I'm just truly, truly floored an honored.
"This is not an easy fraternity to get into. Just to be considered for it is an accomplishment unto itself."
During his playing days in Tennessee (1996-2003), George never missed a game – a span of 128 starts. He was a 1,000-yard rusher seven times, and a four-time Pro Bowler.
On a list of the NFL's all-time rushers, George's average yards per season ranks an impressive 7th overall -- ahead of five running backs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was one of the most productive running backs of his era.
George racked up 36 100-yard games in his career, and the Titans recorded a 30-6 record in those games. He did it while being the focal point of defenses, and while playing in a division that boasted some of the league's top defenses during most of his career, where he played Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Baltimore twice a season. In fact, during his career with the Titans, Pittsburgh fielded a top 10 defense four times, Baltimore three times, Jacksonville twice, Cincinnati once, and Indianapolis once.
George's finest season came in 2000, when he rushed for 1,509 yards, scored 16 total touchdowns, and six 100-yard performances for the 13-3 Titans. Playing alongside quarterback Steve McNair, George helped the Titans reach the playoffs four times in his eight years in Nashville, including a Super Bowl, and two AFC title games. George went over 1,300 yards in a season four times, and he racked up 12,668 all-purpose yards in his career.
The nominees for next year's class will be reduced to 15 finalists in January before the selection committee chooses the class, which will be enshrined in August 2022.
