Jim Hardy, the MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl, died on Friday. He was 96.
Hardy led USC to two Rose Bowl victories, played with the Rams and later became general manager of the Coliseum.
But maybe the most amazing part is that even in his 90’s he would drive two hours from La Quinta to USC once a week to watch practice and he did not need to wear glasses.
In the above photo, he gains yardage against Montana in 1942.
Below, he is recovering from an injury while playing for the Chicago Cardinals in 1951,

RIP
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Parents knew him at Fairfax High —-had nothing but good stuff to say about him. A good pal to everybody who knew him.
#Yes,Indeed:RestInPeace,Jim
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Petros Papadakis echoed your sentiments and also what Scott described – his traveling from La Quinta to USC once a week when he played (1995-[medical 1999] – 2000). BTW looked up that MT football team for 1942….tough year for a Grizzly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1942_Montana_Grizzlies_football_team
They were in the PCC in-conf. 0- 6 overall 0 – 8 there was a war on though
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Thank u for the report
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How does Montana compare to UC Davis?
BTW, the photo shows the stadium looking full and blocking is effective.
#ThoseWereTheDays
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Do you mean he didn’t need glasses to watch the practice or to drive the two hours?
Just fooling around. RIP to a great Trojan, Jim Hardy.
#FightOn!
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RIP
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THIS IS right after the Howard Jones era…SC still had really good coaching and athletes…some write after Jones nothing good until McKay…not true.
Incl during the in between years were severe penalties from PCC ,which caused its death,and birth of AAWU which became Pac 8
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