Homer Jordan

Homer Jordan (born March 21, 1960) is a former American football quarterback.^[1] He was the starting quarterback for the Clemson Tigers 1981 National Championship team.^[2] He was also a member of the Cleveland Browns in 1987. Previously, he played four seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Early life

Homer Jordan grew up in Athens, Ga. His father died from diabetes when Jordan was 12, leaving behind Jordan, his mother and three sisters. Jordan played football, starring at quarterback and safety at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens.^[3][4] After earning All-State honors as a Quarterback, Jordan signed with Clemson University as he wished to remain at the Quarterback Position in his college career.^[5]

College career

Jordan attended Clemson University from 1979 to 1982 and was a pioneer of dual threat quarterbacks, with his ability to pass and run.^[6] First playing at quarterback in 1980, the team finished 6-5 and had begun the 1981 season unranked under Head Coach Danny Ford^[7] Jordam remained the starting quarterback for the 1981 Season. The 1981 team went undefeated 11-0) in the regular season and won the National Championship by defeating the Nebraska Cornhusters 22-15 in the 1982 Orange Bowl, completing a 12-0 season. Jordan was named Orange Bowl MVP. He was also an All-ACC selection that year, leading the ACC in Passing Efficiency.^[8] Despite a knee injury and subsequent surgery in 1982,^[9] Jordan helped lead Clemson to a 9-1-1 season, a share of the ACC title and the #8 Ranking in 1982. His final collegiate game was a 21-17 win over Wake Forest in the 1982 Mirage Bowl. Jordan finished his college career completing 250 of 479 passes for 3,643 yards with 15 touchdowns and 27 interceptions, rushing for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons.^[10]

Professional career

After being drafted in the 1983 Territorial Draft by the Washington Federals of the USFL.^[11] Jordan played two seasons at QB for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, signing a two year contact on March 19, 1983.^[12] In 1984, Jordan completed 80 of 146 passes for 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 1985, Jordan completed 118 of 194 passes (60.8%), with 4 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. In his CFL career he rushed for 300 yards and four touchdowns.^[13] Jordan was a back-up quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 1987, but did not attempt a pass.^[14]

Later Honors and Events

Jordan was an assistant coach at his alma mater Cedar Shoals High School for 10 seasons, beginning in 2002.^[15][16] His son, Darius Jordan, also played Quarterback at Cedar Shoals High School in 2013 and 2014. Homer Jordan married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Arnold and still resides in Athens, Ga.^[17][18] In 1993, Jordan was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.^[19] In 2000, Jordan was inducted into the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame.^[20] On August 31, 2013, Jordan served as an Honorary Captain for the Clemson Tigers in their game against the Georgia Bulldogs^[21]

References

External links

• Clemson Tigers bio