Vic Sears (March 14, 1918 – September 21, 2006) was a valuable lineman on some of Lon Stiner's greatest football teams at Oregon State College (now OSU) and later in the NFL.
Sears was born in what is now known as the ghost town of Ashwood, Northeast of Madras. He played three seasons at tackle for Oregon State, primarily on offense. His six-foot three-inch frame was exceptional for the time. Vic played alongside fellow OSHOF member Quintin Greenough and Len Younce on the line. OSC had a winning record all three seasons from 1938-40.
The 1939 campaign was the best of the bunch, the Beavers finished 9-1-1, losing only to Pacific Coast Conference champions USC. The 19 points surrendered to the Trojans was the most by any opponent. The Beavers dominance on the line resulted in four shutouts. The Rose Bowl was not an option, so the Beavs organized a two-game trip via ship to Honolulu for games against the Hawaii All-Stars and the University of Hawaii in the Pineapple Bowl. That was Oregon State's first-ever bowl appearance. OSC dominated both games and Sears got plenty of pre-season attention before his senior year. He lived up to the hype, winning All-America honors in 1940 and played in the Shriners' East-West All-Star game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Sears in the fifth round of the 1941 Draft, but he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and played there through the 1953 season, missing 1944 due to a broken leg. He helped the Eagles win the NFL title in 1948 and ’49.
In 1943, Sears played for the legendary “Steagles,” the team formed by the merger of the Eagles and Steelers due to the shortage of players caused by World War II. In 1950, Sears became a defensive lineman as well and played there exclusively his final two seasons.
In twelve seasons, he played 131 games, earned All-NFL recognition on either the first of second team five times and earned the nickname “Old Smoothie.” He was voted to the NFL’s Team of the Decade for the 1940s at tackle.
Sears was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.