27 Facts About Garrison Hearst

Gerard Garrison Hearst was born on January 4,1971 and is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for ten seasons.

Garrison Hearst played college football for the University of Georgia, and was recognized as an All-American.

Garrison Hearst ran for 1,000 yards or more in four different seasons.

Garrison Hearst was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1995 and 2001.

In 1992, Hearst got third place for Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,547 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Garrison Hearst was the number 3 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.

Garrison Hearst attended Lincoln County High School in Lincolnton, where he was an all-state running back and broke several records.

Garrison Hearst attended the University of Georgia, and played for the Georgia Bulldogs football team from 1990 to 1992, leading the nation in touchdowns and in scoring in his junior year.

Garrison 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.

Garrison Hearst finished his college career second on the Georgia records list in rushing yardage, all-purpose yardage, and 100-yard rushing games ; trailing only Herschel Walker.

Garrison Hearst was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the 1993 NFL Draft.

Garrison Hearst was cut by the Cardinals in the 1996 training camp.

Garrison Hearst was then claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Garrison Hearst played there one season, gaining 847 yards, but was then picked up by the San Francisco 49ers.

Garrison Hearst ran for 1,570 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Garrison Hearst's total rushing yards placed him third in the NFL, behind only Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson.

Garrison Hearst set a then franchise record for rushing yards in a season, breaking the former record held by Roger Craig.

Garrison Hearst's 535 receiving yards gave him a combined 2,105 yards on the season, another franchise record previously held by Craig, now held by Frank Gore.

Garrison Hearst 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.

Garrison 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.

Garrison Hearst had an excellent season as well, rushing for 1,206 yards on a 4.8 average.

Garrison Hearst won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Garrison Hearst remained with the 49ers for two more seasons, but was used less often, the focus of the 49ers' running game shifting to Kevan Barlow.

Garrison Hearst still ran for 972 yards and 768 yards in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Garrison Hearst was released during the 49ers' offseason after the 2003 season.

Garrison Hearst was considered a "third down specialist" who had eight first downs, and 81 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown before being placed on IR with a broken hand, which was the end of his football career.

In 2002, Garrison Hearst made inflammatory anti-gay comments to the Fresno Bee after Esera Tuaolo admitted he was gay.