Spaulding Roundup: Geof Strand Retires, Rahim Moore's Scare and More McKay Proposal

Monday was a slow day on the practice field, but a bit more of a newsworthy day elsewhere in the world of Bruin football. Earlier this evening, UCLA announced that this Saturday will be Geof Strand's final game on the Bruin sideline. Some of you might remember that Geof was asked off of the sideline for a couple of games last fall, but this sounds like a permanent retirement on his part.

"I am truly honored and blessed to have been able to serve and expand the passion and comradeship of the Bruin Family for the past 38 years," said Strand. "As I retire, I sincerely thank ‘Every Man, Woman and Child;' you are wonderful fans."

In addition to his gameday cheerleading from the sideline, per the official site Strand was also involved in creating the UCLA Alumni Band along with other support functions of UCLA Athletics. There is a bit of a split among Bruins about his sideline routine - I'll admit to not being one of its biggest fans - but I do have a great deal of respect for the dedication and passion that he has displayed over the last four decades on the sideline at the Rose Bowl - and the Coliseum before that - and for all things UCLA.

Geof has spent much of his life trying to grow and excite the greater Bruin Nation in his own way, and I thank him for his efforts. Hopefully more Bruins - young and old - will take inspiration from him and make some noise at the Rose Bowl and inside Pauley.

In Denver, Rahim Moore left Sunday night's game versus the Chiefs due to leg pain, which eventually led him to a local hospital. Earlier today, news broke that he had been diagnosed with lateral compartment syndrome, and had surgery to treat the injury earlier in the morning. Per the Denver Post:

Compartment syndrome occurs when a muscle - which is essentially in a compartment between two fasciae, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles - begins to swell. Swelling continues and continues, eventually restricting blood flow to the muscle, which can lead to nerve damage.

Rahim will miss at least the next few games, with the unpredictable nature of this syndrome along with the deep playoff run expected of the Broncos influencing the team's pending decision whether to place him on season-ending injured reserve.

On a brighter note, Stan McKay had a really nice talk with the media about his postgame proposal and his fiance. He had been planning the on-field ceremony over the past few weeks with the help of Coach Mora and other members of the football staff. His teammates were pumped to be part of his proposal, with one of them already getting drafted to sing at the wedding. (video via Edward Lewis - Bruin Sports Report)

As Chris Foster shared, Stan knew that he wasn't going out on a limb.

McKay had a hint that she was ready for marriage: "She kept posting wedding pictures and rings and dresses on Instagram," he said.

Jack Wang also has post-practice video of Brett Hundley talking about the state of the Bruin offense (video via Jack Wang - Insidesocal.com)

There is optimism that Jordon James will be able to return to action against ASU on Saturday, with Malcolm Jones and Steven Manfro also possibilities. On the flip side, Kylie Fitts had wrist surgery earlier today to repair damage that he suffered playing high school football last fall.