Vic Sears

Victor Wilson Sears (March 14, 1918 – September 22, 2006) was an American professional football guard and tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1941 through 1953.

A two-time NFL champion, Sears was named a member of the NFL's All-1940s team.

Biography Early life

Vic Sears was born March 14, 1918, in Ashwood, a ghost town located in Central Oregon.

Collegiate career

He played college football at Oregon State College, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. Playing for head coach Lon Stiner, Sears experienced great success at the collegiate level in his junior year, helping the Beavers to victory in the 1940 Pineapple Bowl.

Heading into the 1940 season, a writer for Illustrated Football Annual touted Sears as one of two Beaver seniors "ripe for recognition from All-America pickers." Sears "dishes out a terrific exhibition of football every time he goes into action," the pundit observed.

His consistent play as a Tackle and Defensive Tackle earned him recognition as a member of the NFL's 1940s All-Decade Team. Mid-career, at the height of World War II, Sears played as a member of the "Steagles", a team that was the result of the temporary merger between his own Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers during the league-wide manpower shortages in 1943 brought on by World War II.

Nicknamed "Old Smoothie", Sears was active as a player until 1953, accounting for 12 defense-scored points during his playing career.

Death and legacy

Sears died September 22, 2006, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.