George Rogers Arrested on Drug Charges

George Rogers, former running back for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints who was implicated in a drug scandal in 1982 and later underwent treatment at a drug rehabilitation center, was arrested on cocaine charges during a weekend raid, authorities in Columbia, S.C., said Monday.

Rogers, who won the 1980 Heisman Trophy while at South Carolina and now works as a fund raiser for the school, had traces of cocaine in his right nostril when he was arrested Saturday at a Columbia apartment, Richland County Sheriff Allan Sloan said.

Arrested with Rogers were Melvin Metz, 31, and Marcus Gilliam, 28. Gilliam, a defensive tackle at South Carolina in 1983, was the target of a three-week investigation that culminated in the raid, Sloan said.

All three were charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of marijuana. All were released after posting $5,000 bonds.

If convicted, they face maximum fines of $5,000 each and five years in prison.

In 1982, Rogers admitted having used cocaine during his record-setting rookie season with the Saints in 1981.