George Amundson
George Arthur Amundson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League. He was selected by the Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft. He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, both at quarterback and running back.
He has been inducted into both the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and Iowa State Hall of Fame.
Early life
Amundson was born in Pendleton, Oregon but grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota. At Central [High School (Aberdeen, South Dakota)|Aberdeen Central] he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. As a high schooler Amundson set the state record in shot put and discus, the latter of which he still holds. In football he was selected to the Argus Leader all-state first-team both as a linebacker and quarterback.College career
Amundson was recruited to Iowa State both as a track & field athlete and as a football player. He would ultimately become a seven time letter winner, four in track & field and three in football.The football field is where Amundson truly excelled and gained most of his recognition. He was recruited as a quarterback but had to play tailback his junior season due to several injuries on the team. He led the Cyclones to their first ever bowl berth in the 1971 Sun Bowl. That season he rushed for a then-record 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior season he was able to switch back to his natural position of quarterback where he became the first Cyclone to top 2,000 yards of total offense in a season. His 2,387 yards set a Big Eight Conference mark and earned him Big Eight Player of the Year honors, beating out Nebraska's Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers.