A little bit of me died today when I heard the news.
My heart sunk when I read this...
Chris Limahelu, the record-setting placekicker on USC's 1974 national championship football team who kicked a last-second field goal to beat Stanford in 1973, died today (Wednesday, April 7) in Los Angeles of prostate cancer. He was 59.
Born in Indonesia, the diminutive (5-5, 130 pounds) Limahelu came to USC from South Hills High in West Covina (Calif.) and then Citrus Junior College in Glendora (Calif.). He was on USC's junior varsity team in 1972 as a sophomore.
He lettered 2 years at USC (1973-74). As a Trojan junior in 1973, he hit 14-of-18 field goals and 31-of-34 PATs. His 14 field goals set a since-broken school season record. His 47-yard field goal against Ohio State in the 1974 Rose Bowl was the longest ever by a Trojan, breaking a 64-year-old record. His 34-yard field goal with 3 seconds to play against Stanford that season gave USC a 27-26 victory as the Trojans overcame a 26-17 deficit in the final game's 2:10 and stayed alive in their bid for a Rose Bowl berth.
This is a name from my past.
Like Shelton Diggs, Anthony Davis and Pat Haden, Limahelu was always a name that I remember reading and hearing over the PA at the coliseum growing up.
As I have noted repeatedly here on CC...I am Trojan because of my Dad. I went to many Trojans games at his side. I always try to mark the passing of any former Trojan but this one stings because hearing his name was a part of my past that was so special to me.
This is a sad day for me.
May Chris Rest in Peace.
My thoughts are with his family...