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George Wilson

Halfback

Inducted 1951

Date of Birth

9/6/1901

Birthplace

Everett, WA

School

University of Washington (1923-1925)

Bio

George Wilson was the first superstar in the Pacific Northwest and the first from that section of the nation to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The powerful Washington halfback was a master of the stiff-arm, pushing would-be tacklers aside with ease. Most foes found George to be unpredictable whenever he got his hands on the ball, for one never knew whether he would run, pass or kick -and he did each equally well. Huskie football teams enjoyed incredible success while George wore the Washington uniform. He paced the school to 28 victories in 34 games, including a pair of 10-1-1 seasons in which the Huskies appeared in the Rose Bowl. The first bowl showing came at the end of Wilson's sophomore season and the result was a 14-14 deadlock with powerful Navy. After an 8-1-1 junior campaign, Wilson returned to lead the Huskies to another 10-1-1 mark. Wilson had thrown touchdown passes of 20 and 27 yards, but conversion point failures lifted Alabama with a 20-19 victory. Few fans knew it, but George played his entire senior season suffering from a stomach ailment which curtailed his food intake. Still, he completed a brilliant career and, in 1969, was named to the All-Time Pacific Coast Team.