Ollie Matson

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Ollie Genoa Matson II (May 1, 1930 – February 19, 2011) was an American Olympic medalist sprinter and professional American football running back who competed in the National Football League (NFL) from 1952 to 1966.

Matson was drafted into the NFL by the Chicago Cardinals and then moved to the Los Angeles Rams for nine players following the 1958 season. Matson was inducted into the Pro Bowl six times over his career during his career and in 1972, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Personal life

In 1952, he married Mary, who he met as a youth in San Francisco in the mid-1940s. From the time he played for the Los Angeles Rams until his death, he and Mary lived in the same Los Angeles home.

Matson's dementia lasted for many years (he had been bedridden for the first few years), contributing to Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease, was identified in a post-mortem in people with a history of multiple concussions and other head injuries in his later years. Matson's uncle, Ollie Matson, Jr., would sweep the family's four cars almost every day and barbecue chicken at 6:30 a.m. during his later years.

Matson had not spoken in the four years before his death, according to his nephew.

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College career

Ollie Matson graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco in 1948.

Before transferring to the University of San Francisco, Matson attended the City College of San Francisco. Matson became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity while attending college. Matson's senior year at the University of South Carolina in 1951, he led the nation in rushing yardage and touchdowns en route to the Dons' unbeaten season. He was selected as an All-American and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting this year.

Despite its 9-0 record, the 1951 San Francisco team was not allowed to a bowl game. The Orange, Sugar, and Gator Bowls, which were all hosted in the Deep South, were not considered inviting African American players, and the United States refused to play without its two African-American players.

Matson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

NFL career

Ollie Matson was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in the first round of the 1952 NFL draft, giving him their third pick overall. Hugh McElhenny of the San Francisco 49ers shared his 1952 Rookie of the Year awards with him.

Matson did not complete 1953 season while in the United States Army. He was voted MVP of the All-Army football team during his year of service.

Matson was often used as a wide receiver by Chicago Cardinals head coach Ray Richards during the 1957 season. Matson's morale in the aftermath of the team's 3 victory, 9 loss finish, was questioned, with some commentators arguing that Matson's effectiveness as a running back was harmed by such use. Frank "Pop" Ivy, the current Cardinals' head coach, took exception to such criticism of Matson's line up as a wide out, claiming: "Pop" Ivy said:

Matson was the NFL's sixth most prolific running back during the 2005 season, with 577 yards gained in 134 attempts for a 4.3 yard average and six touchdowns. He had 20 catches for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air to support this.

Matson was traded by the Cardinals to the Los Angeles Rams, the league's most coveted franchise, following the 1958 season. Matson would play for the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles later in his career, winning Pro Bowl recognition six times (1952 and 1954-1978).

Matson's 12,799 career all-purpose yards were second only to Jim Brown when they retired in 1966.

In 1972, Matson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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