FERRUM, Virginia – The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (VSHOF) held its Class of 2025 induction ceremony Saturday, April 26, at Town Center of Virginia Beach, and Ferrum College alumnus Ed George '68 was one of nine individuals honored.
George is Ferrum's fourth Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, including former Head Football Coach and Director of Athletics Hank Norton, former football standout and NFL great Chris Warren '89, and former baseball standout, MLB All-Star and National Baseball Hall of Famer Billy Wagner '94. George is the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's 2025 Distinguished Virginian Award recipient. He played football at Ferrum in 1966 and 1967 under legendary Head Coach Hank Norton, and was named team captain, before transferring to Wake Forest University. At Wake Forest, he earned ACC All-Academic Team honors.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft, George opted to play professionally in Canada, starting with the Montreal Alouettes, making the Canadian Football League (CFL) All-Pro Team five times. He was part of two Grey Cup Championship teams with the Montreal Alouettes, and was named CFL Outstanding Lineman in 1974. George completed his professional career after stints with the Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. George was inducted into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame in 2005.
His impact has been felt away from the gridiron as well, where his success in the financial sector has led to multiple philanthropic endeavors, many of which have been centered on support for student-athletes. After his pro football career, George went on to serve as managing director, executive vice-president and co-owner of the $8 billion investment firm of Manning & Napier, Inc. He is married to Roe George, has two children, and three grandchildren.
George is a member of the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 1994. He received additional recognition with the naming of the Ed George Sports Hall of Fame in the Hank Norton Center. George has also been honored with Ferrum's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006 and the Beckham Medallion Award in 2014.
The VSHOF is the fifth institution to recognize George with Hall of Fame honors. He is also part of the E.C. Glass High School Hall of Fame, the Lynchburg Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame and the CFL Hall of Fame.
