Maurice "Bolo" Bassett was a former Chickasha Lincoln, Langston University and professional fullback.

Born on April 26, 1931 in Chickasha, Bassett was a first-team All-Big Seven and an All-State selection as a senior in 1949. He was also a standout basketball and baseball player for the Lions.

He earned a scholarship to Langston University and played three seasons for the Lions.

In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and continued playing football while stationed in San Diego, rushing for 869 yards on nearly ten yards per carry and earning All-Sea Service nomination for Most Valuable Player.

In 1954, Bassett was chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the 36th overall pick in the NFL Draft and earned votes for Rookie of the Year after running for 588 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Browns win the 1954 NFL Championship.

He earned a second championship a year later when the Browns repeated, but his production dipped as he was in a backup role, gaining only 174 yards and scoring three times while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

He played one more season in Cleveland before finishing his playing career with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.

After football, Bassett returned to the Cleveland area where he taught industrial arts. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 60 and was laid to rest in the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

Since 1985, the Cleveland Touchdown Club has presented the annual "Maurice Bassett" award to the most promising first-year player in training camp. The award is voted on by the Cleveland news media.

In 2021, Bassett was posthumously inducted into Langston University's Hall of Fame.