Royal "Roy" Dotson

Seattle Ramblers

Halfback

1957-1962

Following a standout career at Seattle's Garfield High and Everett Junior College, a 20-year old 5'10" 185lb speedster made his way to a Seattle Ramblers club fresh off a disappointing 5-4 season.  Roy would help spark a Rambler resurgence, as the team would go 42-7 from 1957-1961, including a 20-game winning streak facing off primarily against college and military competition.

Each week it seemed, the Ramblers found a new way to utilize their new weapon, who by day, worked as a mechanic at Boeing and attended Edison Technical School.  Starting his Rambler career as a defensive playmaker and pass catching halfback, Roy recorded his first touchdown in his first game as a Rambler on a 59-yard reception, dusting defenders in his wake.  The next week, he logged an interception and a punt return, and by Game 5 was a dual-threat runner/receiver.  Two-weeks later he added a third threat as a kickoff return man, logging a 90-yard TD return against the Canadian Surrey Rams.  By the end of 1957 Roy produced 9 touchdowns and led the Ramblers in scrimmage yards.  Roy Dotson would become one of the most dangerous open field runners of his era and once in the clear, very few could catch up to his speed.

Not missing a beat, Dotson opened the 1958 season with a then-record, 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and added a 90-yarder the following week.  He would have three 80+ yard kickoff returns for scores in 1958 to go with his 8 touchdowns rushing and receiving.  Facing the College of Puget Sound, Dotson rushed for 108 first half yards on 8 carries, including his 34-yard touchdown romp where he was "hit no fewer than four times, only to spin from the grasp of Logger defenders".  Royal was named Ramblers Offensive MVP of the 1958 season. 

The 1959 season again had Royal setting records for the Ramblers as he logged his first 3-TD game, in a Canadian-rules outing against the Victoria Drakes, once again leading the Ramblers to 9 touchdowns on the season, this time adding a 71-yard punt return score to his resume in a two-TD outing against Olympic College where he also had three TD returns scrubbed due to penalty.  Had they stood, he would have had a record 5 return TD's in a single game.  Royal had gone three consecutive years scoring 9 or more TD's for the Ramblers while pulling triple duty on defense and special teams.

Starting the 1960 season, the Ramblers hosted the Hamilton Air Force Defenders in the first "Kiddie Bowl" sponsored by the Renton Elks.  Hamilton had crushed the Ramblers in three previous meetings, but Dotson took the game over, rushing for 110 yards and a TD on 20 carries to lead Seattle to victory earning Kiddie Bowl MVP honors.  Injuries limited his offensive production the remainder of the year, but he still played outstanding defense and when the chips were down, Dotson was called on to save the day.  Roy ripped off one of his famous long runs against the Spokane Valley Olympics, this a 63-yarder to give the Ramblers a 7-0 win keeping the Ramblers undefeated and riding a 15-game winning streak.

Winding down his offensive football career during the 1960-1962 seasons, Royal downsized his role to primarily a defensive specialist and part-time reserve halfback, setting the stage for fellow halfbacks John Whitney and Dan Wheatley for their breakout seasons.  Whitney, filling Royal's shoes, was named the Ramblers Offensive Player of the Year in 1960 and earned the 1962 "Team Man" Award.

All told, Royal accounted for 32 Rambler touchdowns running, catching, returning punts and kickoffs in his 6 seasons, leading the team in yards from scrimmage and 50+ yard plays, while also being one of the feared defensive backs in the region.  His production was outstanding for an offense that employed three backs behind the quarterback, and a team that valued "spreading the wealth" in an era where "feature backs" were not yet a thing in amateur football.

Royal was honored by his Rambler teammates in 1998 with induction into The Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame.  He passed away a few months later at the age of 62. 

1958 Seattle Ramblers Offensive MVP

1959 North Pacific League Champions

1960 Kiddie Bowl MVP

1960 North Pacific League Champions (9-0)

1961 North Pacific League Champions

1998 Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame