Maurice LaFrancis Bassett was born in 1933 in Oklahoma, son of Thelma (Williams) Bassett. I have not yet found the name of his father.
Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 28, 1991
Maurice L. Bassett, ex-football player
Maurice L. Bassett caught the attention of scouts for the Cleveland Browns while playing football at Langston University in Langston, Okla, during the early 1950s.
As a rookie in the National Football League, the battering fullback led the Browns in rushing during the 1954 championship season with 558 yards in 12 games. But the third-round draft pick would never regain that glory, and by 1957 he was replaced by another highly touted college back the Browns were grooming, eventual Hall of Famer Jim Brown.
Mr. Bassett, 58, died Friday in Dayton. He had been in poor health in recent years and had both legs amputated 2 ½ years ago because of poor circulation. He had been confined to the VA Hospital in Dayton in recent months.
Prior to joining the Browns, Mr. Bassett served in the Navy.
Although his playing career was brief, Mr. Bassett took pride in the two world championships the Browns won in 1954 and 1955. He said in a 1937 interview that although his career came between two of the greatest fullbacks in Browns history – Marion Motley and Jim Brown – he won more championships than either of them.
“I played on two world championship teams and they only played on one world championship team each,” he said.
The impact of that rookie year was not forgotten. Every year the media award the Maurice Bassett Award to the most promising first-year player in training camp.
Mr. Bassett went on to play in the Canadian Football League and ended his pro career in 1960 with the Buffalo Bills.
After his playing days were over, Mr. Bassett was an assistant football coach at John Hay High School and football coach at Shaw High School in 1973.
Surviving are his sons, Maurice L. Jr. and Kevin, and a daughter, Stacey Bassett, all of Houston; a brother and two sisters.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Greater Highland African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1620 W. Fifth St., Dayton.
NFL Contract for Maurice L. Bassett for sale on ebay. Note salary of $7000.