C.R. Roberts (2007) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

C.R. Roberts

Induction:
2007
Class:
1957

C.R. Roberts, who set the USC single game rushing record in 1956 in a historic performance, was one of Troy’s most notable fullbacks. The 2-time (1955-56) letterman was an All-Conference first teamer in 1956 when he led USC in rushing (775 yards), total offense (804 yards) and kickoff returns (234 yards). He will long be remembered for his efforts in the 1956 win at Texas, when he rumbled for a school-record 251 yards (a record that stood for 20 years) on only 11 carries. It was sweet redemption for Roberts and his teammates because the Austin hotel the Trojans had booked was segregated, so in deference to his African American players (including Roberts), Coach Jess Hill moved USC to an integrated lodging and Troy took it out on the Longhorns on game day. He also competed on the Trojans’ 1957 track team. He played in the Canadian Football League when his senior season was wiped out because of conference penalties and then 4 years (1959-62) in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers as part of the All-Alphabet Backfield (along with Y.A. Tittle, R.C. Owens and J.D. Smith). He then was a high school teacher and administrator, and also started a tax consulting business and was a building contractor. He died on July 11, 2023, at age 87.