Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Back
Years: 1977-1980
Place of Birth: Baytown, TX
Date of Birth: Dec 18, 1958
Jersey Number: 19
Height: 6-0"
Weight: 195
High School: Jonesboro High School (GA)
Scott Woerner cemented his name among the greatest defensive players in Georgia history after leading the program to a perfect 12-0 national championship season in 1980. He becomes the 13th Bulldog player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A First Team All-America selection as a senior, Woerner made two key interceptions in Georgia’s win over Notre Dame in the 1981 Sugar Bowl for the national title. The 1980 First Team All-SEC selection led the Bulldogs to the conference title, and he was the only defensive player in the conference’s top 10 in all-purpose yardage. Georgia’s Most Valuable Back in 1980, Woerner currently ranks fourth all-time in program history with 13 career interceptions and second with 303 career interception return yards. Considered the best punt returner in Bulldogs history, he was twice named the school’s Outstanding Special Teams Player, and he set UGA records for career (1,077) and single-season (488) punt return yards and kickoff return yards in a game (190). Woerner played for College Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Dooley and alongside Hall of Famers Terry Hoage and Herschel Walker during his time in Athens.
Chosen in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Woerner played one year for the franchise. He played for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL for three seasons, leading them to consecutive league championships in 1984 and 1985.
After his playing days ended, Woerner spent a career teaching physical education, and he is now semi-retired in Rabun County, Ga. He has been very active in the community, volunteering with the American Heart Association, Northeast Georgia Food Bank, Shepherd Spinal Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Woerner is a member of the University of Georgia Athletic Association Circle of Honor and the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
