Donn Moomaw '54

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Donn Moomaw '54, a Bruin football legend who decided to forgo an NFL career to pursue his calling as a minister, passed away Feb. 10 in Pasadena, California. He was 93.

His obituary on UCLABruin.com notes, "Moomaw was a two-way star for the Bruins from 1950 to 1952, arriving on campus as an end before being shifted to center and linebacker by head coach Henry "Red" Sanders. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound standout immediately found a home on defense, twice earning team MVP honors and garnering Lineman of the Year accolades as a senior. Considered one of the best linebackers in UCLA history, Moomaw's No. 80 is retired by the program.

"He was senior pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles from 1964-1993 and during this time met Ronald Reagan. Moomaw offered invocations at Reagan's 1967 and 1971 inaugurations as governor of California, as well as his 1981 and 1985 inaugurations as president of the United States."

Moomaw was a the first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in 1953, but did not play in the NFL, opting for the Canadian Football League where he played parts of two seasons while attending Princeton Seminary. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1973, became a charter member of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984 and was also a member of the GTE Academic All-America Hall of Fame.