Fran Tarkenton, the first Georgia high school graduate to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a distinguished three-sport star at Athens High School, earning all-state honors in baseball, basketball and football. As a junior, he led Athens to a Class A championship, defeating Valdosta 41-20. Tarkenton played football at the University of Georgia as a hometown hero and was named an All-SEC freshman after leading Georgia’s Bullpups to an undefeated season. As a junior, he earned All-SEC honors and led the Bulldogs to their first SEC title in 11 years and an Orange Bowl victory. Tarkenton also led the SEC in completions and set a conference record for completion percentage. Tarkenton was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round (No. 29 overall pick) of the 1961 NFL Draft. His professional career spanned 18 seasons and he earned nine Pro Bowl nods, three Super Bowl appearances and one league MVP award (1975). Tarkenton retired in 1978 with NFL career records in attempts, completions, yardage, touchdowns, rushing yards by a quarterback and wins by a starting quarterback. He finished his pro career with 47,003 passing yards, 342 touchdown passes, 3,674 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns, and was the first-ever quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in his first NFL start.
