THE LEGEND OF CURLY MORRISON
By Gloria Karlak
He is Legend ―
His name evokes respect and esteem because he was a collegiate and NFL superstar, a successful business executive, a philanthropist, and a dedicated family man. And his competitive spirit lives today on the bocce courts of Bear Creek.
Fred “Curly” Morrison is one of a kind. Minted some 83 years ago, he is the proverbial stuff of legends. Born in Ohio, he went to high school in Upper Arlington near Columbus. Following a stint in the Marine Corps, Curly became a student at Ohio State University in 1946. As a 185-pound freshman, he made the varsity team as an offensive and defensive end. During his junior year, Curly had bulked up to 215-pounds and the coaching staff moved him to his natural position ― fullback ― where he starred as a collegian.
Curly played in the 1950 Rose Bowl when Ohio State was matched against the University of California (OSU won the contest 17 ― 14). While the game was billed as a contest between collegiate programs, it was, in fact, a lot about Curly. While scoring one touchdown, he had two others called back.
He recalls that it was the first Rose Bowl that was televised nationally.
Named the MVP of the 1950 Rose Bowl, Curly recently shared these comments with the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “. . . you get one chance to play in the Rose Bowl ― THE Rose Bowl. The Granddaddy of all bowl games. What an opportunity to identify yourself and be outstanding and give all you’ve got. Because you’ll never get another chance like this ― ever.” Curly was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1993.
Current OSU Coach Jim Tressel invited Curly to speak to the Ohio State football team before the 2010 Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Curly told the players, “Football is a sport of we and not me. This is your day ― this is your shot.”
Subsequently, OSU defeated Oregon 26 ― 17 in the Rose Bowl classic.
Curly’s reflections on collegiate and professional football stretch back more than half a century. He was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1950 for the knightly sum of $6,000 a year. He played for legendary Bears coach George (Papa Bear) Halas for four years before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. He played for three years with the Browns and led the team in rushing yards in 1955 with an average of 5.3 yards per carry ― the same year that he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
“I played seven years in the NFL. I played on two world championship teams with the Cleveland Browns. And the thing I’m proud of was that I was on those world championship teams and I was on a team that won the Rose Bowl. It’s something that’s with you all of your life. You get one shot. Don’t mess it up. Do your best. If you do get beat, if you know you did the best you could do, okay. But, that’s what it’s all about.”
In 1958, Curly was the first former NFL star hired by CBS Sports to do color commentary for professional football games. He and veteran sportscaster Bob Wolff provided commentary and background for Cleveland Browns games. They were part of the original “CBS Sunday Sports Spectacular.”
Following a stint as a network salesman for CBS Sports, he became involved in the videotape revolution that was transforming television. His company, Trans American Video Company, provided the technical facilities for the first dramatic TV program shot exclusively on videotape ― “Young Dr. Kildare.” MGM produced the highly successful series starring Richard Chamberlin.
Curly has remained active in football throughout his life. He was the CEO and General Manager of the Los Angeles Express of the USFL and the General Manager of the California Sun of the World Football League. He is an advocate for retired NFL players and is active in numerous charities.
He and wife Sophie launched the NFL Legends Invitational Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach some 20 years ago. “Sophie has been the backbone of the event,” said Curly. “She carried out all the work that had to be done and she did everything ― that’s one of the reasons it was so successful.” Now, two decades later, their daughter Becky Morrison is in charge of the tournament. (For more information on the tournament, go to www.legendsinvitational.com.)
The tournament teams up former NFL stars with members of the business community to raise funds for charitable causes. Proceeds for the event benefit The Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County as well as funding a college scholarship for a worthy member of the Club.
The Pedestal Award has become part of the tournament itself. “We look at what a former player has done beyond football for the betterment of his fellow man,” said Curly. A recent recipient of the Pedestal Award was Miami Dolphins superstar Nick Buoniconti who founded the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis ― one of the world’s leading neurological research centers. The Buoniconti Foundation has raised more than $400 million for spinal cord injury research.
Curly has made an impact both on and off the football field. His family has been personally involved in a variety of charitable activities. He and Sophie have two sons and one daughter as well as three grandchildren.
Today you will find Curly on the bocce courts at Bear Creek as a member of the Bear Creek Grizzlies where he displays the same competitive spirit that is his trademark.
And with a characteristic wink at his wife Sophie, he concludes: “We have been blessed.” And the Bear Creek community has been blessed with the presence of Curly and Sophie Morrison.