A lot of people don’t realize that the man who hired Deion Sanders at Colorado, Athletics Director Rick George, once lined up at the same position as Coach Prime.
Long before he was running an athletic department at CU, George was a cornerback at Illinois in the late 1970s and early ’80s. He wasn’t just a roster guy either; he was on the field for 44 games over four seasons, holding down a starting role in the Big Ten.
His numbers tell the story of a steady defender: 4 career interceptions with 71 return yards, including a touchdown in 1980. He also got a little work on special teams, returning two punts for 55 yards, one of them a 33-yarder.
While he never scored on a return, his contributions were consistent and reliable. That perspective makes his decision to bring in another cornerback, one of the greatest ever to lead the Buffaloes, feel like more than business. It’s football roots recognizing football greatness.
Rick George Reflects on Illinois Football Journey
George doesn’t often talk about his playing days, but when he does, the story goes back to Illinois. He recalled how his football journey started when he was recruited by two well-known names in college football back then.
“I was very fortunate recruited by Gary Mohler and Lloyd Carr who was my defensive back coach back at Illinois a long time ago,” Rick said.
That moment set the stage for George’s entire career. Playing defensive back gave him not just the chance to compete at the Division I level, but also to learn from coaches who would later become legends.
The lessons he picked up in Champaign, discipline, accountability, and toughness, shaped the leader he eventually became. Before he was known as the Colorado athletic director who hired Deion Sanders, Rick George was a cornerback at Illinois, building the foundation of his career.
George Compares Himself With Deion Sanders
Rick George has no problem admitting that while he and Deion Sanders technically played the same position, they couldn’t have been more different. “Deion and I were very different, you know, he was very skilled and I was just this tough-hitting defensive back that hated man-on-man coverage, but had to do it as a corner.”
George’s style was rooted in strength rather than skill. Unlike Deion, who thrived in isolation coverage, George leaned on toughness and physicality. Still, he proved himself early, earning a starting spot as a freshman.
That opportunity exposed him to elite competition. “I was real fortunate and blessed and you know, played against some really good people like Anthony Carter and Kirk Gibson and Leo Lewis,” George said.
Facing players of that caliber shaped his understanding of football, preparing him for leadership roles beyond the field.
George’s Early Start in Recruiting Career
Rick George didn’t wait long after his playing days to step into leadership. “I became an assistant coordinator as a volunteer. At 23, they named me the recruiting coordinator for football at Illinois. I stayed there for five six years.”
That early break launched a career that has spanned college athletics, professional sports, and national committees.
After Illinois, George went west to Colorado, where he helped the Buffaloes land top-ranked recruiting classes and later served as assistant athletic director during the school’s national championship run in 1990.
He expanded his reach at Vanderbilt as associate athletic director before moving into golf with the PGA TOUR and eventually baseball with the Texas Rangers, where he rose to president of business operations.
In 2013, George returned to Colorado, this time as athletic director, leading major fundraising campaigns, facility upgrades, and sustainability initiatives that solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile leaders in college sports.
George’s story shows how the grit of a Big Ten cornerback translated into the vision of a leader. From the field to the front office, Rick George never stopped competing.
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