September 4, 2007
Trojans honor kicker with missing man formation
Everyone has an opinion about the USC Trojans -- I know I've had my share, but I have to say that their in-game tribute to Mario Danelo against Idaho is one of the classiest things I've ever seen in college football.
Something special happened Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; something that carried more weight than USC's 38-10 victory over the Idaho Vandals. After holding the Vandals to a punt in the opening drive of the game, the Trojans set in motion a ten play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by 3-yard touchdown run by sophomore Stafon Johnson. It was the first touchdown of the season and the coliseum roared with applause. The first of a long line of touchdowns that, many hope, will culminate in a national championship for the USC Trojans.But it wasn't the first touchdown that will resonate in the minds' of those in attendance. It wasn't Booty or Stafon Johnson or any other Trojan who played at the coliseum that September 1st...but rather who was missing from the roster that will be remembered. Immediately following the touchdown, everything seemed normal. The Trojan extra-point unit ran out, taking the usual formation on the field. But something was missing -or rather somebody.
There was no kicker to be found.
At first, every person in the stands was hollering about such an obvious mistake. Then, one by one, they started to quiet as everybody realized what was taking place. The statement the team was trying to make was slowly sinking in. And in moments the coliseum fell completely silent.
The referees were finally forced to throw their flags, charging the Trojans with delay of game and a 5-yard penalty.
USC kicker Mario Danelo died tragically on January 6th, 2007. The players had asked coach Carroll if it would be okay to leave the first kick for him. It was a kick that everyone felt rightfully belonged to Danelo; a kick, however, that could never be taken. But it was in this simple moment of silence that the USC Trojans found the perfect way for Mario Danelo to enter the coliseum, and take a bow for the Trojans for one final time.
Comments:
Zac said:
posted on September 4, 2007 10:03 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
I remember hearing about this last season. K-Hue had a thread involving another team's player who'd passed. I asked about Mario Danelo, but hadn't heard; so, I dropped it. Now here it is. What a fitting way to say goodby to a fallen comrad. Like so many things we've been introduced to, it puts the game into perspective. Pax vo bis cum, Mario; pax vo bis cum.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on September 4, 2007 11:25 PM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?
That was beautiful, and amazing.
Sallie said:
posted on September 5, 2007 12:42 AM — 24.237.251.191 — link — abuse?
From an aggie, a school known for it's fallen soldiers... Hats off. Well played. Classy at it's best. Respectfully submitted. My opinion of USC has been lifted. A team with this class deserves a shot at another title.
Gig'em Trojans!
Mark said:
posted on September 5, 2007 2:14 AM — 72.211.196.192 — link — abuse?
I was at the game and I knew they were going to do it, but one can't realize just how emotional an effect this class act had on the fans. Complete silence followed by a standing ovation after the penalty was called. People all around us were wiping their tears. It was a truly beautiful tribute to a fine young man lost before his time. Even now, watching the video I tear up. Thank you Pete Carroll, thank you USC.
Tony Copelin said:
posted on September 5, 2007 2:57 AM — 98.197.19.128 — link — abuse?
I am a Sooner fan but don't dislike any schools. I love college football more than any other sport and things like this are the reason why. Pete Carroll showed a tremendous amount of class by allowing this tribute to happen.Mario Danelo could not have been honored in a more fitting tribute than this.
Bob said:
posted on September 5, 2007 5:12 AM — 68.5.171.77 — link — abuse?
Wow, get a grip on the melodrama folks. Tragic passing of a young guy, no doubt. Fitting tribute to him, no doubt. But really, all this about "God be with your soul" and "classiest thing I've ever seen" and "this is why I love college football more than any other sport" is so lame. Tony Copelin - THIS is why you love CF more than any other? The touching way it mourns its dead players? Come on everyone and get a grip. What are we up to over in Iraq these days in terms of dead 20 year olds? 5 a day? They don't have 92,000 fans and all you sports board homers giving a crap.
TrojanHorse said:
posted on September 5, 2007 5:19 AM — 75.75.86.11 — link — abuse?
i was at the game and after the TD, I was trying to calm one my five y.o down when the seven y.o. said, daddy are they going for two? I said what do you mean.. I look and there isn't a kicker, I was like WTF at first then went d'oh!!! oh yeah.. it was kind of neat although it took a lot of people a moment or two to figure it out. They did have a big tribute to him in pregame where the team lined up on the back of the west endzone line and the AD and PC gave the family a SC shirt in a frame and they played a tribute to him on the video board under the phrase Living the Dream which is what he would always say, as he thought he was livin his dream playing SC FB
as for Bob... F.O. and in this case its not for Fight On!!!
Bob said:
posted on September 5, 2007 5:48 AM — 68.5.171.77 — link — abuse?
Jeez, more melodrama. Eat a FC TrojanHorse, and that doesn't stand for fried chicken. I'm just calling it like I see it. Please don't have the Stupid Clone mafia come get me.
No disrespect at all to the kid that passed - it is truly unfortunate.
Zeke said:
posted on September 5, 2007 6:32 AM — 68.190.249.210 — link — abuse?
Hey Bob, sorry your mom never held you while an infant or maybe you were just the random byproduct of some petri dish mishap! You are one obtuse individual. Take another prozac and move on...no disrepect to any actual human being with a heart of course!
1st_and_NOLE
posted on September 5, 2007 8:14 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
said:
Bob # 12 & 14:
This is pretty simple, if you come across a thread you don't like, don't comment on it.
We're here honoring a young man and praising USC for the very classy way they honored him. If you don't want to do the same, fine. But don't have the audacity to come on this thread and bash everyone else for expressing their feelings and emotions. We're entitled to express how we feel about the situation without some disrespectful asshole calling us lame.
Do yourself on the rest of us a favor...
Comment on things you want to contribute to the actual thread and not bash everyone else's comments.
Otherwise,
S.T.F.U.
gatorstud said:
posted on September 5, 2007 8:41 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
hey bob , wtf is your problem...this is an institution that went above and beyond to share a moment of honor to a fallen studen and teammate....why in the world would you bring the war in iraq into this conversation and try to turn into a political forum....if you want to talk about the war and the injustices you feel are going on, then go find a blog where you can do that...this is a college football blog you tool.....what usc did appropriate and classy.....i have yet to read a post where anyone has compared the war in iraq to football....so for you to come in and blast us here and usc for what they did...is just plain stupid....
kevin has given us a forum that we enjoy talking about...i, as well as other bloggers enjoy talking about our teams but we all have put football in perspective, we know where it stands in accordance to everyday life, and what is going on in the real world.....
i really think you need to look at your posts as well as others again and try to see what i am talking about...i hope you see the light...and if you don't...please go find another site to chat on...
jmho
go gators..and hokies
Tampa Hurricane
posted on September 5, 2007 9:20 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse? said:
I will withhold my judgement on this act until the question about how he died is answered. Has it been announced what the official cause was? If it was an accident, then this is a class act by USC. If he committed suicide, than USC made a mistake by honoring him!
Bobby said:
posted on September 5, 2007 10:31 AM — 128.62.181.150 — link — abuse?
I will go ahead and say it I think what USC did was one of the classiest things i've seen in a long time. I'm a Texas fan and after the NC game Leinart left a bad taste in my mouth for USC, but this changed that. If it is suspected that this individual took his own life then it's probably safe to assume he was suffering with depression or some other illness. I had a close friend battle depression and other things for a long time and saw and heard how they suffered. Accidental or intentional he deserves to be honored. Not trying to be dramatic or write some big long story just my opinion. Tampa Hurricane my post wasn't trying to blast what you said just my opinion. Bob you need to enjoy life more you come across like a very cold and cynical person.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on September 5, 2007 11:14 AM — 76.114.231.180 — link — abuse?
Bob,
What do you know about Iraq? Huh? Been there?
I've never seen such antimosity towards an act of honor?
You sure you're American?
What the hell does this have to do with Iraq anyway.......tell me what you know....cause you don't know dik............obviously.
Michael said:
posted on September 5, 2007 4:50 PM — 70.131.67.251 — link — abuse?
i'm sorry but if I was playing for idaho i would think that they are showing you up. its like, yeah we can take this penalty. we know we are gonna do this on you no matter what. save the tributes for helmet stickers, pregame, and half time. Amen to bob for bringing up iraq. A kicker who "fell" off a cliff is sad but whats going on over in iraq is awful. Pete Carroll is still crooked recruiter.
Zac said:
posted on September 5, 2007 7:24 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Bob (Posts 12 & 14)& Michael (Post 24), you have the right to your opinions & you are welcome here. But, don't expect us (well, me, at least) to like it. And, oh by the way, every time I've learned one of us has served this country (You know; the one that allows you to belittle the sentiments of those on this thread.), I've thanked them, as many others have thanked them. I've even made them the subject of my prayers. Now, if you're one of them, please accept my sincere thanks. I am truly grateful.
As for what you post, as you see fit. It's your right. Just don't expect me to appreciate it.
TrojanHorse said:
posted on September 5, 2007 10:32 PM — 72.254.183.43 — link — abuse?
Its one thing to shit on PC, hey I can respect your opinion on that post #24 and you can shit on USC, hey I can respect that (not necessarily agree but respect, sure why not).. however once it goes to dissing a team for honoring a player who died.. I don't care who it is.. for me if it was UCLA/ND, i'd still respect that tribute.. but to bring the Iraq stuff in is totally class less and says just a ton about you and none of it is positive
Bobby said:
posted on September 6, 2007 12:46 PM — 128.62.107.79 — link — abuse?
Bob and Michael if you wanna talk political then by all means go find the correct blog. This thread was about the tribute USC gave their deceased team mate. No one on this thread cares that you think that what's going on in Iraq is a travesty. If we wanted to talk our views on the war then we would. Bob reading your post you come across as a person who thinks of themselves as an intellectual. The sad truth of the matter is that you come across like a pompous ass who thinks they are far more superior and that emotions are a mere waste of time for a genius such as yourself. People probably go far out of their way to avoid you or would promptly accept a beating with a brick stick than spend any amount of extended time around you. Bob I would suggest you learn some humility and respect for someone else besides yourself because guys like you will eventually come across someone who would be more than happy to teach it to you. Sorry folks the more I read his comments the more irritated I got...I'm done...have a nice day Bob.
posted on September 6, 2007 4:21 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
Bob and Michael: Somehow, you have to attempt to get more of your talking points worked into the body of your post. Granted, it's a bit tough, considering this is a college football blog, but it can be done. Certainly, creative guys like you of the liberal persuasion can find a way.
Make another post, and work the following ideas into it:
Bush lied!
Iraq is a quagmire!
Saddam never had WMDs!
We've killed 400,000 civilians in Iraq!
Wait, on second thought, I have a better idea. This one will be even harder: Why don't you try talking about college football?
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on September 4, 2007 9:51 PM — 76.114.231.180 — link — abuse?That was absolute class...........I have to ask did any final conclusion surface as to why Mario Danelo passed? I know that some people thought it was suicide at first.........but do we actually know for sure?