Hall of Fame Professional Football Player, Olympic Athlete. For fourteen seasons (1952, 1954 to 1966), he played at the running back and flanker positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Born Ollie Genoa Matson, he was raised in San Fransisco where he established himself as a standout athlete excelling at football and track while attended George Washington High School. He studied at San Francisco City College before transferring to the University of San Francisco; while with the Dons he achieved first-team All-American status. His track accomplishments earned him a place on the US Men's Olympic Team at the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki; he would capture a silver medal in the Men's 4 X 400 Meters Relay and a bronze medal at the Men's 400 Meters Competition. He was selected by the Cardinals during the 1st round of the 1952 NFL Draft (3rd overall pick) and appeared in 171 career regular season games, recording 5,173 rushing yards with 40 touchdowns and 222 receptions for 3,285 yards with 23 touchdowns; he led the NFL in punt-return yards, average and punt-return touchdowns in 1955, and kickoff return average and kick off return touchdowns in 1958. Matson received Pro-Bowl status six consecutive years (1952, 1954 to 1958) and was named MVP of the 1956 Pro Bowl; he was chosen to the 1950s NFL All-Decade Team. Matson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 and enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976. Following his playing career, he coached football at the high school and collegiate levels. He died of respiratory failure.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player, Olympic Athlete. For fourteen seasons (1952, 1954 to 1966), he played at the running back and flanker positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Born Ollie Genoa Matson, he was raised in San Fransisco where he established himself as a standout athlete excelling at football and track while attended George Washington High School. He studied at San Francisco City College before transferring to the University of San Francisco; while with the Dons he achieved first-team All-American status. His track accomplishments earned him a place on the US Men's Olympic Team at the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki; he would capture a silver medal in the Men's 4 X 400 Meters Relay and a bronze medal at the Men's 400 Meters Competition. He was selected by the Cardinals during the 1st round of the 1952 NFL Draft (3rd overall pick) and appeared in 171 career regular season games, recording 5,173 rushing yards with 40 touchdowns and 222 receptions for 3,285 yards with 23 touchdowns; he led the NFL in punt-return yards, average and punt-return touchdowns in 1955, and kickoff return average and kick off return touchdowns in 1958. Matson received Pro-Bowl status six consecutive years (1952, 1954 to 1958) and was named MVP of the 1956 Pro Bowl; he was chosen to the 1950s NFL All-Decade Team. Matson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 and enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976. Following his playing career, he coached football at the high school and collegiate levels. He died of respiratory failure.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Parents
Advertisement
