The UCLA-USC rivalry is a tradition.
As every new class enters UCLA from across California and across
the country, it is indoctrinated with a malice toward the Trojans
that has been bred by many generations before it.
It is passed down in Bruin families everywhere, some of whom
have sons now on the UCLA football team.
“Since I was born, I’ve been a Bruin,” said
freshman cornerback Trey Brown, whose father Theotis was a star
running back in the ’70s. “So I’ve always hated
the school across the street. Not only my pops, but my mother went
to school here, so the whole house had a hatred toward
them.”
“We never watched ‘SC,” said freshman
defensive end Bruce Davis, whose father Bruce blocked on the
offensive line for Theotis Brown and UCLA.
“It was like a forbidden word in our house. One time my
little brother was joking with my dad and said, “˜Dad I think
I want to go to USC.’ My dad was like, “˜There’s
no way.'”
Watching their alumni parents had a major impact on Brown and
Davis when it came time to choose which school they wanted to play
football for.
“It was obviously his decision but it didn’t hurt
that mom and dad went to UCLA,” Theotis said. “Trey
went on his recruiting trip during the big game, and he knew then
and there he wanted to go.”
The big game elicits strong feelings for Bruin alumni. Their
passion and animosity toward the Trojans can be traced to the
heightened emotions and stakes of the games, which make them stand
out among their memories.
“As a player you’re taught to focus on the game, but
when you look in the stands and see rabid supporters it gets you in
another zone,” Theotis said.
When the elder Brown was playing, the UCLA-USC rivalry was one
of the premiere matchups in the nation. But over the years, other
rivalries have taken over the public discussion. Each Los Angeles
school has taken its owning city bragging rights, but never at the
same time, which would bring in more national attention. But that
has not diminished the value of the rivalry for the Brown
family.
“When I tell you it’s a tradition around here
““ we’re glued to the television,” Theotis said.
“You got to watch it. It’s the closest thing to being
in church.”
As big as the rivalry has been in the lives of Brown and Davis,
another Bruin freshman has learned in a year what his two teammates
have in a lifetime.
“I had no knowledge of the rivalry,” said tailback
Chris Markey, a native of New Orleans. “The first day I got
in I was wearing some red shorts, and they got on me about that, so
right away I really felt the hostility toward USC.”
Markey’s story reflects how a new legacy of Trojan haters
has been bred by the offspring of former UCLA players. Together,
this younger class will have plenty of interested alumni who have
gone through it watching.
And UCLA’s coach understands just as much as anyone what
it means to play USC.
“Being an alumnus of here, there are fond memories of that
game and you always follow it every year,” coach Karl Dorrell
said.
But now, it’s Dorrell who is being followed. And he hopes
to give every generation some fond memories this year.