In this edition of Throwback Thursday John Chancey looks at a Clemson football legend.
Homer Jordan – Quarterback, 1979-82
- RTR Ranking: 44
- Led Clemson to first National Championship in 1981
- Second African-American quarterback to lead a program to a national championship
- First-Team All-ACC in 1981
- 3,643 passing yards (12th all-time)
- 15 passing touchdowns
- 971 rushing yards
- 11 rushing touchdowns
The first African-American to lead a team to a national championship was Sandy Stephens at Minnesota in 1960. It took another 21 years for the second.
Ironically, Homer Jordan grew up in Athens, Georgia. He played football at Cedar Shoals High School before committing to Clemson. In an era when a lot of athletic high school quarterbacks were being moved to other positions like receiver and cornerback, the Tigers offered Jordan a chance to take snaps behind center.
After serving as a backup as a freshman, Jordan won the starting job in 1980 and led the program to a 6-5 record. He was noted for his ability to contribute in both the passing game and the running game.
Clemson didn’t receive a single vote in the preseason AP Poll in 1981. Jordan promptly led the 1981 team to the first national championship in Clemson history. His first big test of the season was against Georgia at Death Valley, where Clemson won 13-3. At mid-season, the Tigers got one of the most lopsided victories in their history when they defeated Wake Forest 84-24. Jordan had two passing touchdowns and a third on the ground.
Clemson’s closest game of the season came when Jordan led them into Chapel Hill to face the Tar Heels, who were ranked #8 at the time. It was a defensive battle that day, which also featured a safety on special teams. As usual, Jordan found a way to move Clemson down the field enough to get a hard-fought 10-8 victory, which propelled them to an ACC championship and a chance to play for their first national championship.
Clemson vaulted to the #1 ranking following the season and received an offer to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Tigers led the Cornhuskers 12-7 in the third quarter when Jordan found wide receiver Perry Tuttle in the end zone for one of the most famous touchdown catches in Clemson history. A late rally by Nebraska wasn’t enough and Clemson won 22-15. Jordan won Offensive MVP honors and was named first-team All ACC.
He returned as starting quarterback in 1982, but injuries impacted his campaign. Clemson still went 9-1-1. Jordan finished his college career in the 1982 Mirage Bowl victory over Wake Forest in Japan. Jordan began his pro career in the CFL, finally playing in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns in 1987.
Following his pro career, Jordan returned to his home town of Athens. In 2002, he became an assistant coach for his alma mater Cedar Shoals Jaguars. He is remembered as a Clemson icon.