Garner was same age as me, same high school (Rugbear too), and sat behind me in 11th grade civics/govt class. Had an annoying habit of putting his foot on the back of my desk and shaking his leg, but was a good guy from what I remember.
DG43 was a great leader and great man. His younger brother Dwayne Garner and I competed against each other in the OAL ( Oakland Athletic League) I’m the 1980’s. Dwayne ended up at USC and I became a Golden Bear. Dwayne and I continued to stay in touch afterwards. I’m May 2021, I had a chance to see Dwight at his sister’s retirement party at his parents home. He looked great. Strong and in great shape like he could play today. He was like my big brother. My condolences to the Garner Family and my brother Dwayne. RIP #43DG, Brian McGhee (OAL-McClymonds/ Cal Bear)
There was a Cal track meet in the spring of '83. Cal had the four participants run a relay, I'm hazy on the details but it was quite light-hearted fun. Immediately afterwards I got the four to autograph a piece of paper I'd brought with me. Still have it though it has spent most of the last 40 years in a box of memorabilia. Not that I'd sell it, but I wonder what it's worth.
During my freshman year, I was lucky to be in the same Poli Sci section as both Ahmad Anderson and Kevin Moen. Shortly after our win in the '80 game, it was wondrous to watch our graduate assistant, a Furdie undergrad, have to eat mounds of crap in front of Kevin and Ahmad after the team denied Elway a Peach Bowl bid that season.
To think I was once in the presence of two future Cal legends...
As for The Play, it was a beautiful moment of jazz-like improvisation; skatological (elegant, unlike Furd Band) and imperfectly perfect. The underscored arrogance of "the band on the field" being schooled, capped the overriding beauty of it all. Honestly, that was a legendary win greatly amplified by an otherwise dismal year. I believe more than one baseball fan's favorite fantasy is the World Series, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, winning running at the plate, and you hit the Grand Slam. The Play was as close to this impossible fantasy as any sports play can come. Also set up Furd to forever be "The Play-quibblers," claiming there was a knee down at one point. Whether the knee was down or not, I never let it interfere with my schadenfreude. Good times.
Garner was same age as me, same high school (Rugbear too), and sat behind me in 11th grade civics/govt class. Had an annoying habit of putting his foot on the back of my desk and shaking his leg, but was a good guy from what I remember.
Cancer is awful. RIP.
DG43 was a great leader and great man. His younger brother Dwayne Garner and I competed against each other in the OAL ( Oakland Athletic League) I’m the 1980’s. Dwayne ended up at USC and I became a Golden Bear. Dwayne and I continued to stay in touch afterwards. I’m May 2021, I had a chance to see Dwight at his sister’s retirement party at his parents home. He looked great. Strong and in great shape like he could play today. He was like my big brother. My condolences to the Garner Family and my brother Dwayne. RIP #43DG, Brian McGhee (OAL-McClymonds/ Cal Bear)
Let's watch the play one more time.
Go Bears - beat Stanford!!!
R.I.P Dwight
There was a Cal track meet in the spring of '83. Cal had the four participants run a relay, I'm hazy on the details but it was quite light-hearted fun. Immediately afterwards I got the four to autograph a piece of paper I'd brought with me. Still have it though it has spent most of the last 40 years in a box of memorabilia. Not that I'd sell it, but I wonder what it's worth.
During my freshman year, I was lucky to be in the same Poli Sci section as both Ahmad Anderson and Kevin Moen. Shortly after our win in the '80 game, it was wondrous to watch our graduate assistant, a Furdie undergrad, have to eat mounds of crap in front of Kevin and Ahmad after the team denied Elway a Peach Bowl bid that season.
To think I was once in the presence of two future Cal legends...
I’m friends with his children. Praying for Vida, Phillip, Gabby, Danielle, and David. Love you guys. Enjoy heaven Dwight
This is awesome.
Interesting to hear Starkey talk about making tapes for people and then the cottage industry he made out of it for a while.
Go Bears!!!
I don’t get the bowl eligibility angle of the 82 Big Game. Had Stanfurd won, that would have only been six wins. Cal had a better record.
What a beautiful memorial. I can't wait to see it when I go up to Berkeley. GO BEARS!!!!!
RIP, indeed, Dwight. Fuck cancer!
As for The Play, it was a beautiful moment of jazz-like improvisation; skatological (elegant, unlike Furd Band) and imperfectly perfect. The underscored arrogance of "the band on the field" being schooled, capped the overriding beauty of it all. Honestly, that was a legendary win greatly amplified by an otherwise dismal year. I believe more than one baseball fan's favorite fantasy is the World Series, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, winning running at the plate, and you hit the Grand Slam. The Play was as close to this impossible fantasy as any sports play can come. Also set up Furd to forever be "The Play-quibblers," claiming there was a knee down at one point. Whether the knee was down or not, I never let it interfere with my schadenfreude. Good times.
And, yes, the "Band" can stay the fuck off the field. https://s.hdnux.com/photos/41/70/70/8883755/3/920x1240.jpg