Vic Sears was born March 14, 1918, in Ashwood, a ghost town located in Central Oregon.

[1] Playing for head coach Lon Stiner, Sears experienced great success at the collegiate level in his junior year, helping the Beavers to victory in the 1940 Pineapple Bowl.

Heading into the 1940 season, a writer for Illustrated Football Annual touted Sears as one of two Beaver seniors "ripe for recognition from All-America pickers.

Mid-career, at the height of World War II, Sears played as a member of the "Steagles", a team that was the result of the temporary merger between his own Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers during the league-wide manpower shortages in 1943 brought on by World War II.

Nicknamed "Old Smoothie", Sears was active as a player until 1953, accounting for 12 defense-scored points during his playing career.