Gerard Garrison Hearst (born January 4, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons.
He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American.
A first-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, he also played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos of the NFL.
He ran for 1,000 yards or more in four different seasons.
1985
His 535 receiving yards gave him a combined 2,105 yards on the season, another franchise record previously held by Craig (2,066 yards in 1985), also now held by Frank Gore (2,180 yards in 2006).
1988
Hearst set a then franchise record for rushing yards in a season, breaking the former record held by Roger Craig (1,502 yards in 1988).
1990
Hearst attended the University of Georgia, and played for the Georgia Bulldogs football team from 1990 to 1992, leading the nation in touchdowns (21) and in scoring (11.5 points per game) in his junior year.
During his career, he established new school and Southeastern Conference (SEC) records for points scored in a season (126), total touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (19), and average yards per carry (6.8)*.
1992
In 1992, Hearst got third place for Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,547 yards and 19 touchdowns.
When he left Georgia, he was the second-leading career rusher.
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.
He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Hearst finished his college career second on the Georgia records list in rushing yardage (3,232), all-purpose yardage (3,934), and 100-yard rushing games (16); trailing only Herschel Walker.
He also finished third in career rushing touchdowns (33).
1993
Hearst was the number 3 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.
He played 12 years for the NFL.
Garrison Hearst was born in Lincolnton, Georgia.
He attended Lincoln County High School in Lincolnton, where he was an all-state running back and broke several records.
Regarded as an excellent prospect, he was taken in the 1993 NFL Draft third overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
Hearst was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the 1993 NFL Draft.
In Hearst's first two seasons with the Cardinals, he was used sparingly due to knee injuries.
1995
In 1995, he broke out as a pro player, rushing for 1,070 yards.
This came with one touchdown and also 12 fumbles, the most for any non-quarterback.
The Cardinals however felt it was needed to sign Simeon Rice to go with Leeland McElroy moving forward in the run game.
1996
As such, Hearst was cut by the Cardinals in the 1996 training camp.
Hearst was then claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He played there one season, gaining 847 yards, but was then picked up by the San Francisco 49ers.
Hearst's best years came with the San Francisco 49ers.
1997
In his first year, 1997, he ran for 1,019 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the 49ers' first 1000-yard rusher since 1992 (Ricky Watters).
The four touchdowns were more than he had scored in his entire pro career before 1997.
1998
Hearst's true coming out, however, occurred in 1998.
He ran for 1,570 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
His total rushing yards placed him third in the NFL, behind only Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson.
2000
Against the Detroit Lions late in the season, he set a then single-game franchise record of 198 rushing yards, which was later broken in 2000 by Charlie Garner.
He also 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.
The play was later featured on NFL Films as one of the best two running plays in NFL history.
Following the great season by Hearst, he rushed for 128 yards and caught 3 passes for 15 in their wildcard win over the Green Bay Packers.
The 49ers next faced the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Playoffs.
2001
He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2001.
