Bruins in the Big Show will be a weekly feature on the blog where Bruin Sports senior staffers fill readers in on the week ahead for UCLA alumni in the professional ranks. We’ll kick off the series with a look at Bruins in the NFL. Stay tuned for weekly updates on these players and more.
Heading into the opening weekend for the NFL, look out for these Bruins playing on Sundays:
Brendon Ayanbadejo – Baltimore Ravens
Akeem Ayers – Tennessee Titans
Dave Ball – Tennessee Titans
Kyle Bosworth – Jacksonville Jaguars
David Carter – Arizona Cardinals
Kenyon Coleman – Dallas Cowboys
Tony Dye – Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Harris – San Diego Chargers
Justin Hickman – Indianapolis Colts
Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Kluwe – Minnesota Vikings
Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Medlock – Carolina Panthers
Rahim Moore – Denver Broncos
Logan Paulsen – Washington Redskins
Matthew Slater – New England Patriots
Alterraun Verner – Tennessee Titans
Matt Willis – Denver Broncos
Christian Yount – Cleveland Browns
News and notes:
- Out of last season’s draft (or should I say undrafted) class, only two UCLA players made their teams: Tony Dye and Mike Harris. Dye is on injured reserve. Harris will be starting on Monday night for the San Diego Chargers at left tackle.
- Kahlil Bell was waived by the Chicago Bears this offseason after refusing a reduced contract.
- Maurice Jones-Drew missed the Jaguars’ entire offseason including organized team activities and training camps to try and hold out for a new contract.
- Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe made headlines this week for their support of same-sex marriage. Ayanbadejo has always been vocal with his support, which resulted in a letter being sent to the Ravens organization by Maryland House of Delegates member Emmett C. Burns (D-Baltimore County), asking the Ravens organization to muzzle its All-Pro linebacker. Fellow Bruin Kluwe came to Ayanbadejo’s defense, writing an open letter of his own, voicing his support.
Compiled by Chris Nguyen, Bruin Sports senior staff.