I just heard on the news that USC's redshirt junior kicker Mario Danelo has been found dead at the base of a cliff somewhere. No word on how it happened. He was 21. ..........JO'Co
Wow...I just read the story on ESPN, the kid had a great year and made a couple of kicks in the Rose Bowl. I wonder what happened?
Mario Danelo, the son of an NFL football player, was from San Pedro, CA and played at San Pedro HS. He was found at the bottom of a 120 ft cliff at Point Fermin, in San Pedro, near the lighthouse... He was originally a walk-on at USC, but broke nearly all school, PAC10 and NCAA records for PATs. The investigation is continuing...
USC kicker Danelo found dead at bottom of cliffAssociated Press LOS ANGELES -- Southern California kicker Mario Danelo was found dead Saturday about 120 feet down a rocky cliff near Point Fermin lighthouse in the city's San Pedro section. The body was reported by a passer-by at about 4:30 p.m., said Martha Garcia of the Los Angeles Police Department. Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE USC kicker Mario Danelo was discovered at the base of a cliff in Los Angeles Saturday.Danelo appeared to have suffered traumatic injuries, Garcia said. Danelo, the 21-year-old son of former NFL kicker Joe Danelo, made 15 of 16 field goals this season and led the Trojans in scoring with 89 points. The junior made two field goals in the Rose Bowl on Monday to help USC beat Michigan 32-18. Speaking on behalf of Trojans coach Pete Carroll, USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said: "We were stunned to hear about this tragedy. This is a great loss. Mario was a wonderful young man of high character. "He was one heck of a kicker. He was a key ingredient in our success the past two years. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trojan family go out to the Danelo family on this sad, sad day." The family declined to comment. A former San Pedro High School linebacker and soccer player, Danelo made the Trojans as a walk-on in 2003. In 2005, he received a scholarship and earned the starting kicking job. He only missed two field goals in his career, going 26-for-28, and was 127-of-134 on extra points. In 2005, he set NCAA single-season records with 83 extra points and 86 attempts. Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Just read the story prior to coming here to the Skybox. Vary sad indeed. I hope no foul play was involved! Don
I don't believe there are any suspicions of homicide. There was also no suicide note found and they're waiting for the toxicology reports to come back. The place where Danelo fell, Point Fermin, has had plenty of deaths and serious injuries due to falls (and jumps) over the years. In the dark, with or without a few drinks in you, it can be treacherous.