By Kevin Price For GCS Athletics A memorial service to honor the life of Glynn Academy legend George Rose was held Thursday morning under sunny skies and warm temperatures at Glynn’s new practice field behind the school. It wasn’t a somber occasion, even though Rose will be greatly missed by all those who knew him including the many friends who came Thursday to celebrate Rose’s life and share memories of the great man and athlete they all respected. That’s why the weather conditions for the outdoors occasion in remembrance of one of Glynn County’s all-time best athletes was fitting. Rose passed away in January at age 81. He starred on the football field for the Red Terrors in the late 1950s before going on to have an outstanding college career at Auburn and then playing in the National Football League with three different teams over six seasons. Rose is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and also the Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame. On Thursday, Brunswick mayor Cosby Johnson and Glynn County commissioner David Sweat were among the speakers. Both read proclamations that declared April 6 as George Rose Day in the city and county. Rose’s daughter Landy was the final speaker. She pointed out the small dogwood tree that had recently been planted just off the artificial turf field that was completed this past fall at Glynn’s practice facility. It will forever be the George Rose Memorial Tree. The tree will grow and blossom as it matures in the years to come, and a bench with a memorial plaque will be placed near the tree soon. She mentioned hoping that current and future players for the Terrors will sit on the bench and foster relationships with friends that will last a lifetime like those her dad formed while playing football for the team. She also hopes that Glynn supporters might enjoy watching practice while sitting on the bench on an autumn afternoon. The bench was placed across from the 20-yard line on the sideline nearest the GA fieldhouse. Rose wore No. 20 when he played for the Terrors. Other speakers Thursday included Glynn County Schools superintendent Scott Spence, GCS athletics director Steve Waters who also emceed the tribute service, GA principal Matthew Blackstone, Jack Hartman, longtime friend and teammate of Rose and Rebecca Hummel, who spoke on behalf of the Hummel family including her father Ed who was also a longtime friend and former teammate of Rose. Those attending the tribute Thursday included current and former GA coaches, school board members, classmates and friends of Rose, some of his former players, admirers and fans. Rose lettered in football, basketball and track at Glynn. He ran for nearly 3,000 yards as a star running back and led the Terrors to a 10-0 season in 1958. He was named an All-Region player while also making the All-State team and being chosen as an All-American. He accepted a scholarship from Auburn after having several other offers and became a standout wingback and defensive back for the Tigers. He was Auburn’s team captain as a senior and was voted the best Defensive Back in the Southeastern Conference by one reputable media outlet after the season. Rose was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and was named chosen as the Most Outstanding Defensive Back in the game. He also was selected to play in the College All-Star Game at Soldier Field in Chicago. In 1964, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills who were in the old AFL at the time and also the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. He chose to take the third-round offer by the Vikings. He led the Vikings in interceptions his very first season and made the All-NFL Rookie team. After playing three seasons with the Vikings, he also played with the New Orleans Saints for one year and the San Francisco 49ers for two years before a knee injury ended his career. Rose became Glynn’s head coach in 1970 and went back to Auburn in 1972 to coach six years there as a defensive assistant coach. He later went into business before retiring. In retirement, he served as the color commentator for Glynn Academy’s radio crew that called Terrors' football games from 2010-13. He was inducted in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and was in the first Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame induction class in 2012.