So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 26
No. 26:
Our pick:
==Jon Arnett, USC football (1954-'56), Rams ('57-'63)
Out of L.A.'s Manual Arts High, where he was the City Player of the Year, "Jaguar" Jon Arnett said in a USC fan website story that: "All I wanted to do was make the (USC) team behind Aramis Dandoy. All I wanted to do was play a little and get Dandoy’s autograph." The left halfback ended up making it into the USC Hall of Fame in '94 and the College Hall of Fame in '01. A threat to run, pass or receive, Arnett also played defense the same way he was on offense. As a junior, he scored 15 touchdowns and received All-American honors. But as a Heisman favorite in his senior season, Arnett was involved in a payment scandal and was suspended for half the season.
He won the '55 and '56 Voit Trophy given to the outstanding player in the Pacific Coast. He was USC's scoring leader in '54 (55 points), '55 (108 points to lead the Pac-8) and '56 (43 points in half a season). In '54, he also led the team in interceptions with three. He ended up 17th all time on the USC rushing list with 1,898 yards.
The Rams took him with the second overall pick in the NFL draft (two choices ahead of Cleveland taking Jim Brown out of Syracuse) where eight players ended up in the Hall of Fame. During his career with the Rams, he played in five straight Pro Bowls.
In '64, he went to the Chicago Bears and wore No. 21 for his final three NFL seasons.
Upon moving to Oregon, Arnett said in the USC fansite interview: “I’m not happy to leave, but L.A. has become such a difficult place to live. I leave with great memories. I went to high school, college, and played professional football within a five mile radius of where I was born.”
Runner ups:
==Gene Autry, Angels owner (had the number retired by the team for him)
==DeShaun Foster, UCLA football ('98-'01)
==Willie Brown, USC football ('61-'63)
==Kurt Altenberg, UCLA football ('63-'65)
Other No. 26s:
==Wendell Tyler, Rams ('77-'82)
==Joe Rudi, Angels ('77-'80)
==Eric Karros, UCLA baseball ('86-'88)
==Jojo Townsell, UCLA football ('78-'82), L.A. Express ('83-'85, set a league record with 249 yards receiving in a game in 1984)
Sports Illustrated's pick for the all-time No. 26: Rod Woodson, over Wade Boggs and Billy Williams.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours:
Comments
Wendell Tyler wore 26 for the Rams (in the Super Bowl!).
Posted by: El Lay Dave
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October 19, 2007 1:21 PM