Charles Benjamin Rogers

On May 23, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, a legend was born to Cathy Lynn Rogers and Charles Edward Brown. He fought the good fight for 38 years before taking his rest on Monday, November 11, 2019.

Charles, better known as Chuck, was a natural born athlete. From the time he was a child, he excelled at football, baseball, basketball and track. He was a star at Morley Elementary, Central Middle School and Saginaw High School. As a child, he was baptized at Coleman Temple Church and maintained his membership there until he graduated from high school in the year 2000.

Chuck’s greatness on the field cannot be captured in words. He was beauty and poetry in motion; fast and graceful; a superhuman with some of the catches he made. Chuck was the kind of player that made you jump out of your seat and say, “How did he do that?!” Though his athletic greatness on the football field carried him to Michigan State University on a full ride athletic scholarship, he easily could have gone towards basketball, baseball or track and ended up in the NBA, MLB or the Olympics.

At Michigan State, Chuck set records that still hold til this day. He holds the MSU records for most touchdowns in a career (27) and most receiving yards in a game (270). One of his most memorable college games was against Notre Dame where he made an acrobatic catch in the endzone and was still able to plant one foot down. MSU lost the game but Chuck won the hearts and respect of many that day as college football’s best receiver. He was so productive in college that he broke Randy Moss’ record of 13 consecutive games with a touchdown. While the NFL was searching for the next Randy Moss, Chuck solidified himself as the new prototype for wide receivers.

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Charles Rogers in the first round with the second overall pick. His professional career ended prematurely due to injuries but his place in Saginaw and East Lansing history is secured. He was our light, our hope, our dream and our champion. He was and is a legend. He is Saginaw's greatest athlete of all time (THE GOAT)! Charles has left us too soon but he has left us with a legacy worth remembering.

Chuck leaves to celebrate his life and carry on his legacy children, De’Charnae Rogers, Charvez Rogers, CharyAnna Pershay-Rogers, KaLea Bond-Rogers, Charles Rogers, Jr., Zoey Rogers, Zachary Rogers and Chaze Rogers; parents, Cathy Rogers and Charles Brown; siblings, Michael Alford, Lakesha Alford, Savannah Baker-Brown; special uncle, Ronie Rogers; special cousin, AH-Shehnii (Ali) Smith; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends Jeremiah McLaurin, Frank and Framon Dillard, and Naija Washington.

Charles was preceded in death by his grandparents, Benjamin and Eula Mae Rogers, Otha and Easter Brown.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Lee Memorial Hospital, Dr. Hurley Coleman Jr. and World Outreach Campus Church Family, AH-Shehnii Ali Smith, Tina Daniels, Dailyn Alford, Barbara Scott, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

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