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by Jadon Bosarge
In the VIP Village, just prior to the 100th Rose Bowl, I scored interviews with three bowl alumni. Michigan State greats, Gene Washington and Clinton Jones were there to cheer on the Spartans. James Lofton was on hand supporting his team – the Stanford Cardinals.
At Michigan State, Gene Washington was a wide receiver and a track star. He then played for the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. In 2011, Washington was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His Spartan teammate was runningback – Clinton Jones, who was up for the Heisman Trophy. These two football greats played together professionally for the Vikings. Jones then joined the San Diego Chargers.
James Lofton was a Wide Receiver and a 2nd Team All American at Stanford. He was drafted to the NFL in the first round by the Green Bay Packers. He had a successful career and went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
All three gentlemen felt their respective team would be triumphant on the field. They offered praises to the opposing team knowing this would be a great game. They were all excited to be at the Rose Bowl. When I asked Lofton about what it takes to be a winner, he shared that it takes a good attitude. “You are competing against yourself, so you have to determine if you are improving and giving your best effort. You are learning to work as a team and even if your team does not win, because you can work as a team, you will feel like a winner!” On this day, I met three real winners and football greats!
