Football | July 06, 2020

LOS ANGELES—Damon Bame, a two-time All-American and member of USC's 1962 national championship football team, died on June 26 of heart disease in Riverside, Calif.  He was 77.

Bame, who transferred to USC from Glendale (Calif.) Junior College, lettered at guard and linebacker for the Trojans in 1962 and 1963.  USC was 11-0 in 1962, including a victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, en route to the national title.  With Bame getting 4 interceptions that season, the 1962 Trojan defense allowed just 92 total points (8.4 per game) and posted 3 shutouts.  He also was a 2-time All-Conference performer and earned USC's Lineman of the Year Award both seasons.  He played in the 1964 Hula Bowl.

After USC, Bame was an assistant football coach at San Jose State, Long Beach State and New Mexico, with Hawaii of the World Football League and at Corona del Mar (Calif.) High and was the head coach at El Segundo (Calif.) High.  He also worked in precious metals recycling industry.

He prepped at Glendale (Calif.) High.

He is survived by his son, Darryl Hopper-Bame, sisters M. Roberta Gran and Barbara J. Hill and brother Joe D. Bame, as well as a large extended family.