University of Georgia Athletics
Former UGA Running Back Joe Geri Passes Away
April 22, 2002 | Football
April 22, 2002
ATHENS, Ga. - Joe Geri, who earned All-SEC honors as a Georgia running back in 1948, died on Saturday in Milledgeville, Ga., after a lengthy illness.
As Georgia's starting halfback in 1948, Geri led the Southeastern Conference in points scored with 90 and set the league record for PAT conversions at 92.3 percent by going 36-for-39. A year earlier, the native of Phoenixville, Pa., scored 94 points and caught five passes.
Geri went on to have a stellar professional career. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Geri ran and kicked his way to NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1949. Converted to quarterback for the 1950 campaign, Gary was the NFL's third-leading passer and runner, the sixth-leading punter, and the ninth-leading scorer. He was one of four players to garner unanimous All-Pro honors. Geri played just two more seasons -- one each with the Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals -- before going into coaching.
Geri was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
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