Garrison Hearst
Date of birth	January 4, 1971 (1971-01-04) (age 36)
Place of birth	Lincolnton, Georgia
Position(s)	Running Back
College	Georgia
NFL Draft	1993 / Round 1/ Pick 3
Career highlights
Pro Bowls	1998, 2001
Awards	1993 Espy Award - Best College Player 1995 Co-NFL Comeback POY 2001 NFL Comeback POY
Stats
Statistics	Pro Football Reference DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1993-1995 1996 1997-2003 2004	Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals Cincinnati Bengals San Francisco 49ers Denver Broncos

Gerald Garrison Hearst (born January 4, 1971) is a former NFL running back who last played for the NFL's Denver Broncos in 2004. He had previously played for the Phoenix and Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers. He ran for 1,000 yards in a season on four occasions and is the only NFL player to have won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award twice, in 1995 and 2001. He's also the very first NFL player to be feaured on the cover of a Madden NFL game. He is currently single and the father of two sons and a daughter. January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Lincolnton is a city located in Lincoln County, Georgia. ... In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time. ... High school running back A running back, halfback, tailback or wingback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... This is a list of athletic conferences of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). ... The NFL Draft (officially the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting[1]) is an annual sports draft in which National Football League (NFL) teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players. ... The 1993 NFL Draft // DE Michael Strahan 40th overall pick LB Chad Brown 44th overall pick DB Ray Buchanan 65th overall pick K Jason Elam 70th overall pick G Will Shields 74th overall pick NT Gilbert Brown 79th overall pick S John Lynch 82th overall pick FB Lorenzo Neal 89th... In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League (NFL). ... The 10th Anniversary ESPY Award. ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush (1977-1979 defense) Team colors Orange, Broncos Navy Blue, and White[1] Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... High school running back A running back, halfback, tailback or wingback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush (1977-1979 defense) Team colors Orange, Broncos Navy Blue, and White[1] Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... Madden NFL is a American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. ...

High School

Garrison Hearst attended Lincoln County High School in Georgia where he was an all-state running back and broke several records, such as the single season rushing record in the state.

College career

Hearst attended the University of Georgia, and played football there for three years (1990-1992), leading the nation in touchdowns (21) and in scoring (11.5 points per game) in his junior year. During his career, he established new school and Southeastern Conference records for points scored in a season (126), total touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (19), and average yards per carry (6.8)*. Hearst was a consensus All-America selection, the Doak Walker Award recipient, ESPN's "ESPY" Winner for Outstanding Collegiate Athlete and SEC Player of the year in 1992. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. The University of Georgia (UGA) is the largest institution of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. ... The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which operates in the southeastern part of the United States. ... The Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the nations top college football running back. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... Official Logo The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (often known simply as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman), named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the U.S. The award is considered the highest individual player honor...

Hearst finished his college career second on the Georgia records list in rushing yardage (3,232), all-purpose yardage (3,934), and 100-yard rushing games (16); trailing only Herschel Walker. He also finished third in career rushing touchdowns (35). Herschel Walker (born March 3, 1962, in Wrightsville, Georgia) is a former professional American football player in the United States Football League and the National Football League. ...

Regarded as an excellent prospect, he was taken in the 1993 NFL Draft third overall by the Phoenix Cardinals. The NFL Draft (officially the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting[1]) is an annual sports draft in which National Football League (NFL) teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players. ... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner Bill Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference...

NFL career

In Hearst's first two seasons with the Cardinals, he was used sparingly. In 1995, however, he broke out as a pro player, rushing for 1,070 yards. However, after the season he was let go and joined the Cincinnati Bengals. He played there one season, gaining 847 yards, but was then picked up by the San Francisco 49ers. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division...

San Francisco 49ers

Hearst's best years came with the 49ers. In his first year, 1997, he ran for 1,019 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the 49ers' first 1000 yard rusher since 1992 (Ricky Watters). The four touchdowns were more than he had scored in his entire pro career before 1997. Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ... Ricky Watters (born April 7, 1969, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is a former American Football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and finally the Seattle Seahawks. ...

Hearst's true coming out, however, occurred in 1998. He ran for 1,570 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. His total rushing yards placed him third in the NFL, behind only Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson. Hearst set a then franchise record for rushing yards in a season, breaking the former record held by Roger Craig (1,502 yards in 1988). The record was broken again in 2006 and is now held by Frank Gore (1695 yards). His 535 receiving yards gave him a combined 2,105 yards on the season, another franchise record previously held by Craig (2,066 yards in 1985), also now held by Frank Gore (2,180 yards in 2006). Against the Detroit Lions late in the season, he set a then single-game franchise record of 198 rushing yards, which was later broken by Charlie Garner (201 yards) in 2000, and currently held by Frank Gore (212 yards in 2006). He also had the longest running play in the NFL earlier in the season, when he ran 96 yards for a game-winning touchdown in overtime on Opening Day versus the New York Jets. The play was later featured on NFL Films as one of the best two running plays in NFL history. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Terrell Lamar Davis (born October 28, 1972 in San Diego, California) is a former American football running back who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 1995 to 2001. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Roger Craig (born July 10, 1960 in Davenport, Iowa) is a former NFL running back who won three Super Bowls (1985, 1989, 1990) while playing with the San Francisco 49ers. ... Frank Gore (born on May 14, 1983 in Coral Gables, Florida) is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers franchise. ... Frank Gore (born on May 14, 1983 in Coral Gables, Florida) is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers franchise. ... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... Charlie Garner (born February 13, 1972), is a former American football running back. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Hunter Green and White Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows. ...

Afterwards

Following the great season by Hearst, the 49ers faced the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Playoffs. Unfortunately on the first play from scrimmage, Hearst suffered a gruesome ankle break when his foot was caught in the Georgia Dome turf and twisted severely as he tried to spin away from Falcons' defensive end Chuck Smith. Doctors said he might not play again, even though the 49ers kept him on their roster as an inactive player. City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... Scrimmage is a word referring to an informal game between members of the same team, usually in the spirit of practicing or mutually gaining improvement and experience. ... The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia that is owned and operated by The State of Georgia who operates The Dome, The Georgia World Congress Center, and Centennial Olympic Park. ... Chuck Smith is a radio host and former NFL defensive end. ...

Hearst ran into complications following surgery as circulatory problems choked off the blood supply in the area, leading to Avascular Necrosis, causing the talus bone in his foot to die. Bo Jackson suffered this same condition in his hip and was forced to retire from football. Avascular necrosis is a disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to the bones. ... FIG. 270– Left talus, from above. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

After over two years of long rehabilitation, Hearst surprised many by playing in football in 2001 and became the first player in NFL history to come back to football after suffering avascular necrosis. He had an excellent season as well, rushing for 1,206 yards on a 4.8 average. His amazing comeback earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. The 49ers, who were 10-22 in 2 seasons without Hearst, went 12-4 that year. Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ...

Hearst would remain with the 49ers for two more seasons, but was used less often, the focus of the 49ers' running game shifting to Kevan Barlow. Hearst still ran for 972 yards and 768 yards in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Kevan C. Barlow (born on January 7, 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) in the citys rough neighborhood of Garfield is a player in the National Football League. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Hearst would be released during the 49ers offseason fire sale after the 2003 season, in which the 49ers would get rid of many key players and rebuild. Hearst signed with the Denver Broncos and in his final season, he was considered a "third down specialist" who had eight first downs, and 81 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown (4.1 yards/carry) before being placed on IR with a broken hand. He was not resigned in 2005. City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush (1977-1979 defense) Team colors Orange, Broncos Navy Blue, and White[1] Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American...

External links

• Hearst's career statistics on nfl.com