Famous USC fullback Roberts dies at 87

Jul 12, 2023, 08:31 PM ET

LOS ANGELES– C.R. Roberts, whose record-setting performance assisted USC beat Texas in a 1956 roadway game played in the segregated state, has actually died. He was 87.

Roberts passed away of natural causes on Tuesday at a care facility in rural Norwalk, the university stated Wednesday after being notified by his daughter Dr. Cathy Creasia.Roberts, a fullback

, set a single-game rushing record with 251 yards on 12 brings in the Trojans’ 44-20 success in Austin, a mark that represented 20 years. Fearing rioting by the segregated crowd, USC’s training staff pulled Roberts early.Upon arrival, the Trojans tried three various hotels before discovering one that would enable its Black players to stay. USC authorities had actually allowed Roberts to travel in spite of Texas’ partition laws.” I was upset that they didn’t desire me down there,”Roberts stated in a 2015 USC online short article for Black History Month.”Damn right, I had something to prove to them. “The hotel maids were Black and they attempted to encourage Roberts and his other Black colleague to leave. He assured them he was permitted to be there as part of the team.Roberts remembered Black people who lived in the area came over, entering through the back of the hotel and donning personnel uniforms so they could welcome the Black players staying in a whites-only hotel.” That night, possibly every black individual in the area must have come over to see us,”Roberts said in the post.”They were so happy to see us in that hotel.” Roberts was hailed as a hero in his go back to campus. Alumni flew back on the group plane and a tired Roberts could not sleep while besieged by boosters congratulating him.It was quite a modification from when Roberts first showed up on campus and faced backlash by the mainly white student body. However, he was welcomed amongst his colleagues on the football field.Born on Feb. 29, 1936, Cornelius R. Roberts grew up in Mississippi and moved to California in grade school. He graduated from Oceanside High north

of San Diego after being called the 1953 state football player of the year as a senior, having actually scored 65 touchdowns.After finishing from USC with a degree in company administration, Roberts was taken in the 14th round of the 1958 NFL draft by the New York Giants.However, he selected to sign with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He rushed for 595 yards and 5 touchdowns, including TD runs of 67 and 85 yards, in 10 games.Roberts then became a casualty

of the 12-man quota that restricted the number of U.S. players on the Argos ‘roster and he was released. He tried for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1959 but didn’t make the team.He had fun with the San Francisco 49ers from 1959-62. He is endured by daughters Cathy Creasia and Chandra Roberts; son Craig; and four grandchildren.