Retired Georgia Jerseys
March 31, 2009 | Football
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#21 FRANK SINKWICH, HB
Born in McKees Rock, Pa., Oct. 10, 1920, Frank Sinkwich became Georgia's first Heisman Trophy winner in 1942. His senior season, he was a unanimous All-America selection after setting the Southeastern Conference total offense record of 2,187 yards (795 yards rushing, 1,392 passing). He led Georgia to an 11-1 record and scored the Bulldogs' touchdown in a 9-0 victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl game.
He was named All-America in 1941 after leading Georgia to a 9-1-1 record and Orange Bowl victory over TCU. In that game he rushed for 139 yards and completed 9 x 13 passes for 243 yards and three TDs. Drafted and played with the Detroit Lions where he was All-Pro in 1943-44.
#34, HERSCHEL WALKER, TB
Born March 3, 1962, in Wrightsville, Ga., Walker won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 after three consecutive seasons as a consensus All-America. He led Georgia to the 1980 national championship, three consecutive SEC titles (1980, '81, '82), a three-year record of 33-3, and three consecutive Sugar Bowl appearances.
He was the most explosive freshman ever to play the game setting the NCAA freshman rushing record in 1980 with 1,616 yards. Walker finished third in the Heisman balloting as a freshman, second as a sophmore, and won college football's highest honor as a junior. He continued his career with the USFL New Jersey Generals and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
#40, THERON SAPP, FB
He will always be known as "The Drought Breaker" for his great touchdown against Georgia Tech in 1957. His score was the difference in a 7-0 Georgia victory which ended an eight-year losing streak to the Yellow Jackets. But that single score sometimes overshadows a great career at Georgia which included being named All-SEC in 1958 and his election as team captain.
He was drafted by Philadelphia in 1960, and was in the lineup when the Eagles defeated Vince Lombardi's up-and-coming Green Bay Packers in the NFL championship game. He was traded to Pittsburgh in 1963 and responded by rushing for over 500 yards and helping the Steelers to the eastern division title.
#62, CHARLES TRIPPI, TB
Born in Pittstown, Pa., December 14, 1920, Charley Trippi captained Georgia's 1946 undefeated and untied team, was a unanimous All-America selection, won the Maxwell Award as the nation's outstanding player and was runnerup in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
He played alongside Frank Sinkwich in 1942 before World War II interrupted his career. He returned for the last six games in 1945 and against Georgia Tech set an SEC record for yards gained passing (323) and total offense (384). Signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and sparked them to the world championship in is rookie season. Inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame in 1968.
