This post is part of a media project called SoCal Sports History 101: The Prime Numbers from 00 to 99 that Uniformly, Uniquely and Unapologetically Reveal The Narrative of Our Region’s Athletic Heritage. Pick a number, and consider the list of athletes attached to it. Who wore it best? Or, what’s the most compelling story linked to it? Any person, place or thing is in play with Southern California connections. Star power, transformational achievement, longevity, notoriety and quirkiness all factor in. Whatever leads to a lively discussion and interpretation.
The most obvious choices for No. 41:
Jerry Reuss, Los Angeles Dodgers
John Lackey, Anaheim Angels
Elden Campbell, Los Angeles Lakers
Glen Rice, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers
The not-so-obvious choices for No. 41:
Glenn Davis, Los Angeles Rams
Ken Norton Jr., UCLA football
Jeff Shaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
The most interesting story for No. 41:
Glenn Davis, Los Angeles Rams running back (1950 to 1951)
via Bonita High
Southern California map pinpoints:
Claremont, La Verne, Pomona, Los Angeles Coliseum, La Quinta
Reference books on the subject:
“Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside: World War II, Army’s Undefeated Teams, and College Football’s Greatest Backfield Duo,” by Jack Cavanaugh, 2014
Next to Smudgepot Game Trophy — which, to some, carries more importance as far as bragging rights — Glenn Davis’ 1946 Heisman Trophy sits in the main office at Bonita High School in La Verne. It’s rather unassuming in a glass case, with all sorts of newspaper clippings behind it.
The Army tailback known as “Mr. Outside,” who had been on the outside looking in as he was the Heisman runner up as both a sophomore and a junior, became just the 12th recipient in the award’s history, having claim to the most “outstanding college football player in the United States” as deemed by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City.
On Davis’ Heisman, there’s a small, noteworthy addition made to the original plaque in the bottom left corner. “Bonita High School 1940-1943.”
To the kid known as the “Claremont Comet,” that’s what most mattered. To the school, it was an honor to go with its pride.
“I don’t think there’s too many high schools in the country with a Heisman Trophy in their possession,” said then-Principal Bob Ketterling, who arrived a couple of years after the handoff. “People walk by and do a double-take.”
Davis was the first Heisman Trophy winner with roots in the California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section. It would be years later when, as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, the home-grown star was back in a spotlight, playing in two NFL championship games during his only two seasons.
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