NFL great Ollie Matson passes
For more information on this incredible person and athlete please check Google.
Acknowledgements given by Rev. Donal Godfrey, S.J. at the Memorial Service Celebrating the Life of Ollie Genoa Matson II on March 12th, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
Rev. Rhoden, Rev. Brown.
My name is Fr. Donal Godfrey and I am very honored to represent the University of San Francisco at this service for Ollie Matson. I wish to express my own and the condolences of Fr John Lo Schiavo, Fr Stephen Privett, and the entire University of San Francisco community to Ollie’s children; Lisa, Ollie Jr, Bruce and Barbara; to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.
Dr. Ollie Matson was an alumnus of the University of San Francisco – I call him doctor because he received an honorary doctorate from us in 2007. We are, and always will be, extremely proud of Ollie and his legacy. Last year at the annual convocation our President Fr Stephen Privett spoke of Ollie Matson, and his team mate the late Burl Toler, to all our faculty and staff. I quote:
“They are remembered as the two African American players on USF’s legendary 1951 football team, arguably the best football team ever. The ’51 Dons were unbeaten, untied, and ultimately uninvited to the bowl game that their perfect record entitled them to. The Orange bowl wanted the Dons to play Clemson, presumably for a national championship, but only if they left our two black players behind. The team voted unanimously not to go anywhere without their African American teammates. That vote cost them a likely national championship and the gate receipts that would have kept football alive for them at USF – the program died that very year for lack of funds. Those USF student-athletes literally chose solidarity over glitz, integrity over glory. This is who we are and want to be.”
Ollie, Burl, and the men who refused to collude with the injustice of a racist tournament went on to become a lifelong family. It is testimony to this fact that Bill Henneberry, Ralph Thomas, Dick Columbini, John Dwyer, Dick Columbini, along with Susan and Burl Toler’s family are here today. Would you please stand up?
(Sustained applause from congregation)
At USF we are so very proud of Ollie and his friends. And Ollie continues to tell us who we are and who we want to be. His spirit lives on in the continuing commitment to fight for social justice and equality for all at the University of San Francisco.
Our brother Ollie has gone to his rest in the peace of Christ. The Lord is now welcoming him to the table of God’s children with Mary in heaven.
May the Lord bless Ollie and keep him,
May the Lord make his face to shine upon him, and be gracious to him,
May the lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace.
Amen.
