Ollie Matson

Ollie Genoa Matson II (May 1, 1930 – February 19, 2011) was an American professional football player and Olympic medal-winning sprinter who played halfback and return specialist in the National Football League from 1952 to 1966. Born in Trinity, Texas, near Houston, Matson was raised by his grandparents after his parents separated and his mother moved to California. He relocated to San Francisco at the age of 14 to rejoin her and graduated from George Washington High School in 1948, having set a San Francisco high school football scoring record with 102 points in 1947.

Matson played college football for the San Francisco Dons before being selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the first round, third overall, of the 1952 NFL draft. Over his professional career he played primarily for the Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams. He was named a first-team All-Pro seven times and selected to the Pro Bowl six times.

Matson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 and was later included in the NFL's 1950s all-decade team, named during the league's 100th anniversary celebration.