Honors & Awards
- Played for the Green Bay Packers
- 1995 Nebraska High School Hall of Fame
- 1971 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Inductee
- 1954 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
- 1933 All-American
At Nebraska
George Sauer was one of Nebraska’s most historic players during the 1930's. Coach D.X. Bible glowed when speaking of the Sauer, "He was probably my best all-around athlete. He was great at carrying the ball and he was one of the best on defense. He simply rolled up his sleeves and met the ball carrier head on."
The Cornhuskers All-America selection led Nebraska to a 23-4-1 record in three varsity seasons. Sauer stood 6-2 and weighed 195- pounds. In three varsity years he rushed for 1,570 yards, passed for 701, and did the punting
In 1932 Sauer was central to the Husker's stellar record of eight wins and only one loss. That solitary loss was to undefeated Pittsburgh. The Husker defensive line, led by Sauer, held off the steel-town squad until the slashing Panthers scored the game's only touchdown in the fourth quarter. Games against big teams like the Panthers were bringing national attention to the Huskers. Players, like Sauer, did not go unnoticed. At the end of his senior season he led the voting for players in the New Year's Day All-Star game. Sauer distinguished himself by intercepting passes and scoring the only touchdowns of the game. After the game news writer Lawrence Perry commented that Sauer, "stands clearly as the premier ball carrier in the nation."
After Nebraska
Sauer joined the Green Bay Packers in 1934 and retired as a Packer after the Packers won the 1936 league championship. In three seasons with the Packers, Sauer gained 656 yards on 190 attempts. Sauer average 3.5 yards per carry and scored 6 touchdowns.
After completing his NFL career Sauer then became a college head coach at New Hampshire from 1937-42, Kansas 1946-47, Navy 1948-49, and Baylor 1950-59. During his coaching career Sauer had three and a half years out of coaching for Navy service.
Sauer’s record at the University of New Hampshire finished at 21-17-1, including a 6-0-0 record in 1942. Sauer next moved on to Kansas where the Jayhawks went 15-2-3. Sauer continued his coaching career at Navy where his team only won three games while losing 13 and tying 2. Sauer finished his college coaching career at Baylor where he was 38-19-3 over six seasons. Both his Kansas teams won conference titles, and his Baylor teams were in three bowl games.
After coaching Sauer continued to be the Athletic Director at Baylor until 1960. In 1961 Sauer would move to the American Football League where he would be the general manager of the New York Titans, who would later be named the Jets. In 1961 he would be instrumental in the signing of Joe Namath. In 1963 Sauer drafted and signed his son George Sauer Jr., who became one of Joe Namath’s favorite targets.
Before Nebraska (Lincoln High)
Lincoln High Class of 1929. A great high school athlete in all sports, Sauer played on three state championship football teams (32-1-1 record) and on two state championship track teams. As an all around excellent player who could run, kick and pass, Sauer often left the competition wondering what he would do next.
Personal
He was born December 11, 1910, in Stratton, Nebraska, and died February 5, 1994.