Back to search

Ollie Matson

Fullback

Inducted 1976

Date of Birth

5/1/1930

Birthplace

Trinity, TX

School

University of San Francisco (1949-1951)

Bio

With speed, endurance, size and power, Ollie Matson was the ideal running back. Streaking quickness and demolishing power were his trademarks from the very beginning when he starred in football and track at George Washington High in San Francisco. Matson was the city's gridiron back of the year and a sprint and pole vault champion who anchored relay tandems. Competing nationally before entering college, Matson was timed at 9.6 seconds in the 100-yard dash and 47.0 seconds in the 440-yard sprint. In 1948, Ollie led the City College of San Francisco to a Junior College conference title, then transferred to the University of San Francisco where, in his sophomore year, he averaged 5.5 yards per carry. An injury hampered his efforts as a junior, but the elusive super star returned as a senior and led the Dons to an undefeated record in 1951. He won the "Mr. Touchdown" award scoring 21 touchdowns and finishing as a contender for the Heisman Trophy. He won the silver and bronze medals in the 1952 Olympic Games before turning his efforts to professional football and six All-Pro campaigns while playing for five different NFL teams. Matson later coached high school and college football.