Former Georgia running back Lars Tate died this past Monday at the age of 56 after a battle with stage 3 throat cancer. His diagnosis came last month and was to begin chemo this very week.
Tate’s History
Tate played for the Bulldogs from 1984 to 1987. He racked up 36 total touchdowns for the Dawgs in a 4-year career, totaling just over 3000 rushing yards during that time. He also helped Georgia establish itself as RBU, making the school well-known among others for its production of star running backs.
Tate’s 3,017 total rushing yards are 6th-most in school history. He led Georgia in individual rushing yards in1986 and ’87, with totals of 954 and 1,016, respectively. Among carriers, Tate is 3rd-most in school history, only behind Nick Chubb and the legendary Herschel Walker. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in his final two seasons and was the top rusher in a Georgia backfield that included fellow running back Tim Worley, Keith Henderson, and David McCluskey alongside, in his final season, Rodney Hampton.
Drafted as a second-round NFL draft pick by Tampa Bay in 1988, Tate played three seasons in the league, the last with Chicago. He had significant obstacles to overcome off the field. In 1997, Tate was shot in the throat during an argument at an All-American parade in Indianapolis. He also dealt with the effects of concussions long after his football career, like so many other players.
Tate’s High School Days
Tate was a also multisport athlete growing up. He played Little League baseball, pitching a no-hitter in seventh grade and hitting two home runs in another game on back-to-back swings. He was also able to already dunk by the time he reached 8th grade. Tate’s true special game was football, however- in the very same 8th grade, he took his first snap 90 yards to the house and shredded 8 separate would-be-tacklers on another play in the same game. In high school, Tate didn’t even play his first two years at North Central HS in Indy. At that time, the school didn’t even have a freshman class.
Tate’s first high school game on August 28, 1982, saw him score 2 touchdowns and run for 112 yards on 22 carries as NCHS defeated the reigning state champions and winners of 28 straight games in Carmel. He would begin a pattern of this scoring, as he logged at least 2 touchdowns in the next 4-5 weeks.
Tate is survived by two sons, four grandchildren, and his daughter Lauren.