My condolences to Derrick and the rest of the Ayers family.

The 1975 team finished tied for first in the Pacific-8 Conference and defeated top-ranked Ohio State in the Rose Bowl game. Coach Vermeil called him “pound for pound, the best blocker I’ve ever seen.”

Trees to be planted in Eddie’s memory.

OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HEARD MY DAD TALK ABOUT ED. ED AND MY DAD SHARED SEATS AT THEIR DIALYSIS TREATMENTS THREE TIMES A WEEK. MY DAD HAD ALWAYS SAID I SHOULD COME AND MEET ED, BUT I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO STAY AND MEET HIM. THEN REALIZING THAT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WITH THIS TYPE OF DISEASE YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE TIME FOR GRANTED. SO, I MADE THE TIME TO COME IN AND MEET HIM. HAVING GROWN UP IN A BRUIN HOUSE, I HAD THE PRIVILAGE OF SEEING HIM PLAY DURING HIS PLAYING DAYS AT UCLA AND I HAVE TO SAY I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS GENTLEMEN. I TAKE UCLA SPORTS VERY SERIOUSLY AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED MEETING WITH THE YOUNG MEN, WOMEN AND ALUMNI THAT HAVE HAD THE PRIVILAGE TO WEAR THOSE 4 LETTERS ACROSS THEIR CHEST. AND MR. AYERS IS RIGHT THEIR AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST. TODAY, WHEN I TURNED TO THE BACK PAGE OF THE LA TIMES SPORTS PAGE AND SEEING THE PRESS CLIP, I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND CALLED MY DAD TO INFORM HIM. AS SOON AS I TOLD HIM HE BROKE DOWN CRYING AND HANDED THE PHONE TO MY MOM. THIS PUT A TEAR IN MY EYE ALSO. I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE AYERS FAMILY THAT ED WILL BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR AS LONG AS I AM BRUIN (FOR LIFE). THE BRUIN FAMILY HAS LOST A SPECIAL BRUIN. EDDIE, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING A BRIGHT SPOT IN MY DADS LIFE, AND REST IN PEACE. HERE IS ONE BIG 8-CLAP FOR YOU ED.

I have had the tremendous pleasure of knowing Eddie and his family for over 16 years, when his son Derek came to play for UCLA, and I worked for the Football team. Eddie was not only a great Bruin player but a GREAT person. He never had a bad thing to say about any one. He always had a smile on his face and was always laughing. He never missed a day of Derrick’s practices. He was always there to lend support to Derrick and his teammates. He always made sure when he stopped by the office to say Hi to Jolie or Coach Donahue & Coach K, he would stop by to say Hi to me as well. He was the Ultimate BRUIN!!! He will be truly missed, its too few and far between these days that you meet some one like Eddie, one great thing he did do was hand down his spirit to Derek.

Over the years I had lost contact with Eddie and Derek, but I recently ran into Derek and Nkosi Littleton at the SC game this year, and asked how his dad was doing and was sorry to hear about his lupus, but he said he was in good spirits. I told Derek tell his dad I said Hi and sent my love. This is truly a sad day for all in the Bruin Nation who knew and loved Eddie. My deepest sympathy and condolances to Derek and his family on the passing of this great man.

Eddie you will be missed, but I know that you will be there with CRN and the rest of the bruins every game day, up in heaven cheering them on… Love ya!!! Go BRUINS!!!