Ollie Matson

 

Ollie Genoa Matson, "Ollie"
University of San Francisco, 1949-51
Chicago Cardinals, 1952, 54-58
Los Angeles Rams, 1959-62
Detroit Lions, 1963

A member of the 1952 Olympic team, Ollie Matson starred in football and track at San Francisco’s Washington High School, City College, and the University of San Francisco. A Silver Medal winner in the 1952 Games as a member of the U.S. 4x400 meters relay team, Matson also won a Bronze Medal, finishing third in the individual 400 meters. Matson joined the National Football League’s Chicago Cardinals following the Olympics. In 1959, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Rams in a trade for nine players. Matson is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.