Back to Main Page <<<>>> Back to Inductees' List Hall of Fame Inductee -- 1995
George Sauer
Lincoln High

Athlete. Lincoln High Class of 1929--A great high school athlete in all sports, Sauer played on three state championship football teams (32-1-1 record) and on two state championship track teams.  As an all around excellent player who could run, kick and pass,  he often left the competition wondering what he would do next.

At the University of Nebraska, Sauer became an emulated football hero.  Nebraskan kids idolized the Lincoln native often pressing their mothers to sew George's famous number 25 onto their sweaters.

He was an All-America football player, chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame, and played four sports at NU: football, basketball, baseball and track. He led Nebraska to Big Six championships in 1931-32-33, conference seasons during which Nebraska was undefeated and the fullback was all-conference. He played pro football and coached college and pro football.

 
George Sauer was one of Nebraska's most revered Cornhusker players during the hard hit 1930's. Coach D.X. Bible glowed when speaking of the player, "He was probably my best all-around athlete. He was great at carrying the ball and he was one of the best on defense. He simply rolled up his sleeves and met the ball carrier head on."

In 1932 Sauer was central to the Husker's stellar record of eight wins and only one loss. That solitary loss was to undefeated Pittsburgh. The Husker defensive line, led by Sauer, held off the steel-town squad until the slashing Panthers scored the game's only touchdown in the fourth quarter. Games against big teams like the Panthers were bringing national attention to the Huskers. Players, like Sauer, did not go unnoticed. At the end of his senior season he led the voting for players in the New Year's Day All-Star game. Sauer distinguished himself by intercepting passes and scoring the only touchdowns of the game. After the game news writer Lawrence Perry commented that Sauer, "stands clearly as the premier ball carrier in the nation."

Sauer eventually used his considerable football skills and knowledge as a Kansas coach.

He was an All-America in 1933 for the No. 2-ranked Cornhuskers. Sauer also lettered in track, baseball and wrestling while at Nebraska. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sauer played for the Green Bay Packers from 1935 through '37 and roomed with talented receiver Don Hutson. The Packers were 10-1 in 1936 and won the National Football League title.

He also performed great feats on the sidelines, coaching at Navy, New Hampshire, Kansas and Baylor, where he was athletic director for 10 years. After turning the program around in New Hampshire, a street was named for him.

In 1961 he was manager and assistant coach of the then New York Titans, who later became the Jets. He was instrumental in the signing of quarterback Joe Namath.