George Amundson - Inducted 1992

Aberdeen (Aberdeen Central High School). Iowa State. On May 17, 1969, at the state Class AA track meet in Spearfish, the 6-2, 200-pound Amundson threw the discus 211 feet, 4 inches, farther than any U.S. high schooler had ever thrown it. No South Dakotan since has come close to that mark. The record was never recognized nationally because later surveying showed an uneven terrain. Amundson also held the state record in the shot put. In football, he was all-state as a linebacker and quarterback. Also excelled in basketball and baseball. At Iowa State, as a tailback, he set a single-season rushing record of 1,316 yards and led the Cyclones to the Sun Bowl. In 1972 he was an All-American at quarterback. He set ISU records for total offense in a career, touchdowns scored in a game, season and career and TD passes in a season. Also set ISU record in the discus. No. 1 draft pick of the Houston Oilers in 1973. The 6-3, 220-pounder played three seasons (1973-75) in the NFL, two with Houston and one with Philadelphia. In his best season (1974 with Houston), he rushed 59 times for 138 yards and caught 18 passes for 152 yards, and scored five touchdowns. For his NFL career, he rushed 74 times for 194 yards and four touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 212 yards and a TD.