Bill Plaschke: USC-UCLA crosstown rivalry makes overdue history with two Black starting QBs
LOS ANGELES — Vince Evans remembers the crosstown rivalry for its unrivaled terror.
Before the 1976 game, Evans received a letter that contained the N-word with a warning: "If you go out there against UCLA, we're going to blow your brains out."
Such was the life of a Black quarterback.
"Imagine being a young kid playing under that kind of duress and pressure," Evans remembered. "It was tough."
Jimmy Jones remembers the crosstown rivalry for its unrivaled finality.
Despite directing the Trojans to an unbeaten season in 1969 and establishing several school passing records during his three years as a starter there, Jones was never given a shot in the NFL. He wasn't drafted. He wasn't signed as a free agent. He was never even offered a tryout. He spent a year working for Chrysler before spending his entire professional career playing in Canada.
Such was the life of a Black quarterback.
"We all know the weight USC carries,
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