Football | July 12, 2023

LOS ANGELES—Former USC fullback, C.R. Roberts, who is best known for his legendary 1956 performance against Texas that broke through racist barriers, died yesterday (Tuesday, July 11) in Norwalk, Calif. of natural causes. He was 87.
 
In Troy's sociologically historic 44-20 victory over Texas in 1956, Roberts rushed for 251 yards, setting the USC single-game rushing record in the process. The record stood for 20 years. The game was played in Austin, Texas, and upon arrival, the team tried three different hotels before finally finding one that would break the rules and allow its Black players to stay. The Trojans seemed to take it out on the Longhorns on game day. 
 
Lettering from 1955-56, Roberts earned All-Pacific Coast Conference in 1956, as he led the conference in rushing with 775 yards on 120 attempts. He also assisted in USC's defensive efforts and led the Trojans with 67 tackles and 6 pass deflections in 1956, and was the kick return leader on special teams with 9 attempts for 234 yards (26.0 avg) and 1 TD. He had three 100-yard rushing performances in his career. 
 
Roberts 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). 
 
Roberts was named to the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. 
 
He then was a high school teacher and administrator, and also started a tax consulting business.
 
Roberts is survived by his three children, Dr. Cathy Creasia, Chandra Roberts and Craig Roberts, and his four grandchildren, Christian Roberts, C.J. Roberts, C.C. Creasia and Caulin Creasia.
 
Memorial service details are pending.