C.R. Roberts, an African American running back, faced a disconcerting situation in 1956. His integrated University of Southern California football team was scheduled to play against the all-white University of Texas Longhorns in Austin. There were death threats leading up to the game, and Roberts feared for his safety. He wondered if a shotgun blast from the stands would kill him. The tension was palpable, with derogatory remarks emanating from the crowd as he stood on the sidelines.
Despite these circumstances, Roberts delivered an outstanding performance that led the Trojans to a resounding 44-20 victory. He achieved extraordinary feats on the field, scoring a 73-yard touchdown and another for 50 yards in the second quarter. In the third quarter, he scored another touchdown on a 74-yard run. In total, he gained 251 yards, setting a single-game rushing record at U.S.C. that stood for nearly two decades. The Los Angeles Times referred to him as an “explosive bolt of searing speed.”
However, Roberts revealed that due to the derogatory slurs hurled at him by spectators, Coach Jess Hill withdrew him from the game shortly after he scored his final touchdown. He experienced a hostile atmosphere in the stadium due to his race.
This victory occurred during the early stages of the civil rights movement, while Black citizens were boycotting segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama. It remains a significant milestone in the fight against racial discrimination. In 1966, Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) achieved another breakthrough when their all-Black starting five won the NCAA men’s basketball championship against an all-white University of Kentucky team. The following year, Sam Cunningham from U.S.C.’s all-Black backfield gained 135 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 42-21 victory over an all-white University of Alabama team. This game is often credited with opening the doors for the University of Alabama to actively recruit Black players under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Cornelius R. Roberts, also known as C.R. Roberts, passed away at the age of 87. He was born on February 29, 1936, in Tupelo, Mississippi. His parents, Cornelius and Audra Mae Roberts, recognized the dangers of living in a racially discriminatory environment. They made the decision to move their family away from Mississippi to protect their son from harm.
Roberts encountered further segregation when he crossed the Mason-Dixon line on a train journey from Oceanside, California. He was forced to move to a segregated coach while playing with a white boy in an integrated car. The experience left him confused and unable to comprehend the reasons behind racial divisions.
He later became a star player at Oceanside-Carlsbad High School, scoring an incredible 65 touchdowns. Local newspapers praised him as the “all-American Negro flash.” Despite his achievements, Roberts did not fulfill his dream of attending the United States Military Academy at West Point due to his struggles with math.
At the University of Southern California, Roberts excelled on the football field, finishing second in rushing in 1955 and leading the team in 1956. His remarkable performance against the University of Texas showcased his exceptional skills and courage, but he was unable to play in his senior year due to penalties imposed on U.S.C. for providing illicit financial aid to players.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration, Roberts played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League for two seasons. He then transitioned to the National Football League, where he played for the San Francisco 49ers and gained 637 yards on 155 carries over four seasons. Following his football career, he pursued a teaching profession, sharing his expertise in typing and business skills at high school and college levels. He also ventured into entrepreneurship, opening a travel agency and tax consulting service.
Roberts is survived by his daughters Cathy Creasia and Chandra Roberts, his son Craig, and four grandchildren. His marriages to Joyce Moss and Yvonne Barton ended in divorce.
Despite his football successes, the game against the University of Texas and the racial tensions it evoked remained deeply ingrained in Roberts’s memory. He conveyed his determination and indifference towards the opponent on that fateful day, stating that he did not care who they played. The team carried a chip on their shoulders and delivered their best performance to emerge victorious.
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