Pepper Rodgers

Pepper and my brother Ted grew up together. They went to Capitol View Elementary school and Brown High school at the same time. His brother Allen and I were good friends. We grew up together, going to Capitol View Elementary and Sylvan High school. Allen and I played a lot of sports together. Enjoyed Pepper's Coaching as well as his playing time at Tech.

Coach Rodgers came into Atlanta and out of Atlanta the same way like a Hurricane. I feel like what is missing in this oft mimic Hurricane is this was the 1st of its kind and I feel we are missing huge parts of our College Football History increasingly.

Loved him when he coached at Ga Tech & Memphis Showboats. Then I lucked up by working as a doorman checking id's at "Pepper's" a cool restaurant/bar in Memphis. He and his wife were so nice to me. I will never forget him. RIP Pepper.

To a life well lived. RIP my friend.

1975 Season opener at South Carolina. Listened to the game with my father in Columbus on the radio. We were eating roasted peanuts. My father smoked a cigar. Everytime I either eat roasted peanuts or smell cigar smoke, I remember that night. It remains one of my favorite childhood memories. Sadly though, Tech lost 17-23.

Pepper, Pepper, Pepper! You changed "MaTech" forever! Gregory Horne and I rode around the state of Georgia in 1974 and talked with every major African American athlete about coming to GT. Also, Coach Jack Thompson worked Bill Stanley and me to set up an event at old Paschals' on Hunter Street for Pepper and his staff to meet Mayor Maynard Jackson!
Thank you Pepper!!!
Karl Barnes

Pepper and Tech teams were my heroes growing up in the early 50s down in Camilla GA. I knew I had to attend Tech. We would become friends when Pepper joined the Washington Redskins. Unique in every way, a truly good guy. GBU Pepper. GBU Livingston.