A Queensland interstate representative centre, he played club football in Ipswich, Brisbane and Bundaberg, usually at five-eighth.
In 1955 Pearson started playing for the Ipswich Rugby League's West End club.
[2] In 1957 he became a regular centre for the Queensland rugby league team's annual matches against New South Wales.
In the 1961 Brisbane Rugby League Premiership's grand final Pearson captained Norths at five-eighth and was instrumental in his team's victory over Fortitude Valley.
[4] In 1964 Pearson moved to Bundaberg where he started playing for the Brothers club in the forwards and became captain coach.