RipsIt reader Sean Shevlin e-mailed in asking about the "10" sticker that's on the back of Taylor Mays' helmet.
The number is in recognition of an award that honors Bob Chandler, a legendary USC wideout in 1968-70 who died of cancer in 1995. At the team banquet last December, Mays won the Bob Chandler Award, given to an underclassman based on his athletic ability, academic scholarship and character on and off the field, and will wear the "10" sticker in Chandler's honor throughout the season. Chandler wore No. 10 when he played for the Trojans.
Donated by the Bob Chandler Foundation, the award funds a scholarship for the player's full tuition, room and board for the following year. It's in its 14th season, and previous winners include Sammy Knight, Chad Morton, Keary Colbert, Lofa Tatupu, Ryan Kalil and Keith Rivers.
Chandler played 12 seasons in the NFL and was the league-leader in receptions for three straight seasons in 1975-77. He was also the MVP of the 1970 Rose Bowl, when he scored the game-winning touchdown.
Safety Taylor Mays wears a "10" sticker on the back of his helmet in honor of the Bob Chandler Award he received last December. The award recognizes Chandler, a USC legend who died of cancer in 1995.
The number is in recognition of an award that honors Bob Chandler, a legendary USC wideout in 1968-70 who died of cancer in 1995. At the team banquet last December, Mays won the Bob Chandler Award, given to an underclassman based on his athletic ability, academic scholarship and character on and off the field, and will wear the "10" sticker in Chandler's honor throughout the season. Chandler wore No. 10 when he played for the Trojans.
Donated by the Bob Chandler Foundation, the award funds a scholarship for the player's full tuition, room and board for the following year. It's in its 14th season, and previous winners include Sammy Knight, Chad Morton, Keary Colbert, Lofa Tatupu, Ryan Kalil and Keith Rivers.
Chandler played 12 seasons in the NFL and was the league-leader in receptions for three straight seasons in 1975-77. He was also the MVP of the 1970 Rose Bowl, when he scored the game-winning touchdown.
Safety Taylor Mays wears a "10" sticker on the back of his helmet in honor of the Bob Chandler Award he received last December. The award recognizes Chandler, a USC legend who died of cancer in 1995.
This reminds me that I saw a few #19 Mario stickers on helmets this weekend, but not many. Are they just hold-overs from the past? The goal post pads still honor him.
I remember, as a young boy, watching Bob Chandler play for USC. Not all that tall, and not all that fast, but boy, could he catch the ball. What a great guy, and the world lost a great man when he passed.
I first caught a glimpse of Bob as a wide receiver in a game USC played at Nebraska on TV. I think it was 1968 or 1969. I was a wide receiver at ECU at the time and I remember a camera shot of him on the sideline, a good looking guy and a great receiver. I later found out we were born the same year, 1949, he was only 6 months older.
I followed his career from that point on and saw him in many a game on TV with Southern Cal, the Buffalo Bills and then the Raiders.
Then in 1992 at my brothers restaurant in NYC I am standing by the door and Bob walked in. I introduced myself and we talked for a bout 15 or 20 minutes telling him how I have always admired him and how he played the game. We shook hands and he went off. A humble and gracious man.
About 6 months later at the restaurant again, I hear someone call out my first name and it was Bob walking past on his way to a table. I just thought how our lives had just crosse and it was a little bit of a cosmic feeling. It felt great.
About 3 years later I just happened to look at the NY Times obituary and I could not believe what I read. Bob had passed away at 45.
To this day I have that obituary and two months ago I purchased three #10 USC jerseys and gave one each to my two younger brothers and kept one for myself. The note to them with the jerseys referred to Bob and what a class act he was.
I will never forget, Bob Chandler...
I am Bob Chandler's nephew (mother's brother)..That was a very nice story and your recollection of Bob is right on. I have been with him at a sporting event or at a restaurant and he will talk football with anybody and treat them like longtime friends. He is missed every day. Thank you for sharing.