Sep 21, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins player stand for a moment of silence in honor of Nick Pasquale before the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
I remember it was a Sunday morning, one year ago, when my phone buzzed. I looked at the headline that stated that UCLA wide receiver Nick Pasquale had from died being hit by a car. My head was not clear, I couldn’t focus. It felt puzzling and unreal. “What?” I kept repeating in my head. This doesn’t happen. But it did. Nick Pasquale, passed away on September 8, 2013, one year ago today.
It hurt at first. How do you try to “understand” how a student-athlete that represents your school, one I did not know, dies? You can’t. How do you contemplate head coach Jim Mora leaving in the middle of press conference as he was interrupted talking about Pasquale? It was emotional. It was hard to take in… but UCLA football rallied.
They played for him at Nebraska, painted his number on the Rose Bowl field, gave his family support and honored him with playing only ten men on the first play of the of the following home game after his death. Damn right is was hard, but his teammates knew he would want them to go and play their hearts out. Play like Pasquale. Live Like Nick.
In the last year, Pasquale has been anything but forgotten. There is the Nick Pasquale Foundation, a Live Like Nick 5K Run in his hometown of San Clemente took place this past weekend and he is still widely remembered by the UCLA community. Chris Foster of the L.A. Times did a fantastic piece on him as well. His spirit lives on, people.
Nick loved UCLA football and UCLA football loves Nick. That is what this is about. To recognize that spirit.
One year has passed and emotions have changed. I never knew Nick, but through UCLA football, I see what affect he had on his team. He is missed, but will always be remembered. Play like Pasquale. Live Like Nick.
R.I.P. Nick Pasquale
#36