Many within the Titan Football family are grieving the loss of Darrius Watson who passed away this week. Watson was a defensive back for the Cal State Fullerton Titan Football program from 1989 to 1992. Upon the program’s suspension, Watson transferred to Louisville to play the 1993 season and complete his college football career. Watson was running on the beach on Sunday evening, January 31, 2010 when he suffered an apparent heart attack. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he passed away on Monday morning. Darrius Watson was 38 years old.
Although Watson was one of the final team members to play on the 1992 squad, he was part of a new era in Titan Football. Watson was part of the 1989 freshman recruiting class that marked a turning point for Titan Football. The 1989 recruiting class was comprised of mostly high school recruits, a deviation from the previous philosophy of recruiting Junior College players. Watson was part of that recruiting class that included John Cotti and Walter Bonnett, who both went on to star at San Jose State after the Titan Football program was suspended. Also among that group included walk-on running back Danny Pasquil who transferred to the University of La Verne in 1993 and went on to be named conference offensive player of the year. Most recognizable in that 1989 recruiting class was kicker/punter Phil Nevin who went on to pursue his baseball career to much success with the San Diego Padres. Watson went on to play at the University of Louisville where he played corner back and helped the Cardinals to an 8-3 record that year and an 18-7 victory over Michigan State in the 1993 Liberty Bowl. Upon completing his eligibility at Louisville, Watson was invited to tryout for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.
Upon hearing the news of Watson’s untimely passing, many former Titans grieved and reached out to others for support via the internet. Over the past few days many former Titans, football players, coaches, trainers and even other athletes from other Fullerton sports expressed their grief via Facebook. A few Facebook messages in regards to Watson’s passing include;
Paul Schulte: Will never forget his Million Dollar smile, and how he loved life and people. I pray God will be with his Family and comfort them in their sadness.
Terry Payne: I can’t believe that, my heart hurts for his family. There’s times I feel like I’m still 20
Kimo Igarta: Former Titan Darrius Watson is in our prayers and will always remain in heaven as a Titan!
Anthony Pack: As a former CSUF football player, I am sure you are as stunned as the rest of us after learning of the sudden death of Darrius. I was thinking, in an effort to show Solidarity and our LOVE for our TITAN brother, we should all wear dark suits, white shirts and ORANGE ties to his funeral services. I’ve already spoken to family representatives who informed me that it would be a great idea. Do you think you can disseminate this information to as many “Titans” as you can who will be attending the services.
Coach Rick Redden: I truly appreciated being around Darius everyday that I had the chance to spend with him. He was a pleasure to coach and spend time with on and off the field. I really enjoyed our meeting times, our road trips to away games – all the times we spent together at Cal State Fullerton. His smile was infectious and he always enjoyed everything he did on the field as he practiced and played with such great energy!!
Walter Bonnett: Today was a crushing day. . . Found out one of my college football teammates, passed away . . . . Darrius Watson (38 yr’s) aka “Spiderman” he was on of the best corners that I had the privilege of playing with. . . Dude was Strong, Long & Athletic . . . .God Speed and God Bless. . . R.I.P Spiderman
Mikki Baker, Titan Athletic Trainer: I will always remember his beautiful smile! Darrius was such a nice guy. Always so funny and always smiling. It was great to see him at the reunion. Very sad news! My thoughts & prayers are with his family!
Becky Howlett Jackson, Titan Volleyball Player: RIP…. strong, long, athletic… perfect description.
Brian Johnson: R.I.P. D, U were one of the best! U will be missed.
Dave Lamm: is sadden by the news of Darius Watson’s death. Darrius was one of my first teammates at Cal State Fullerton and he will be missed. So glad I was able to see him last March at the Titan Football reunion.
Dennis Ellis: is thinking of his fallen Titan Posse Brother. RIP “Young Buck….”
Mike Ammann, Titan Soccer Player: Sad news, he definitely was a character. RIP Darrius
Shaun Dennis: Words can’t express the sadness I feel in my heart at our loss, but we must remember that God doesn’t make mistakes! And right now Darrius is definitely in a better place. I miss you already “Young Buck” and I’ll see you again when God brings all of us together. As he would say TITAN’S FO LIFE!
Deon Thomas: Titans, brother and sister, please send out your prayers for Darrius Watson (R.I.P) family, he was taken away from us recently.
Victor Prince: This Kat could of played at ANY University. That much talent!
Richard Harrison: My man Darrius!!! You will be missed brotha!
Andrew Hill: How could this be? He was one of the best athletes I have been around. I remember reading about him trying out with the 49ers just after he graduated from Louisville. A heart attack seems impossible. I am not doubting the news, but just in shock. So sorry to hear this. My prayers are with his family. A very sad day, indeed.
Prior to his death, Watson was a physical education teacher at a junior high school in South Los Angeles. In his spare time he enjoyed boxing and boxed professionally in the cruiserweight division. Watson finished with a professional record of seven victories (with three knockouts) to go with one defeat. One of Watson’s career highlights was a 12 second knockout victory over Robert Green in January of 2002. The one defeat was in his last fight in May of 2006, a disputed split decision loss to Richard Paige. Watson stopped boxing after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Services for Darrius Watson are as follows:
Viewing:
Monday, February 8, 2010
Time: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Inglewood Mortuary
3801 West Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, California 90305
Phone: (310) 412-6811
www.inglewoodcemeterymortuary.com
Funeral:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 11:15am
Location: Amos Memorial Christian Church
2445 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles , California 90019
Phone: (323) 732-8194
www.amoscme.com
Cards can be sent to the home of Darrius’ parents:
The Watson Family
922 Diamond Dale Drive
Carson, California 90746
(Darrius’ favorite flowers were orchids.)
– Those from CSUF are planning to wear dark suits, white shirts and orange ties to show solidarity.
_______________
Details of Watson’s boxing career were obtained via the Francisco Salazar article that appeared in Fightnews.com
Long live the TITANS in life and in death.
RIP with love.
Ed Gillies
A Titan for life.
D Watts was a good Dude..I have all positive words for this man..He enjoyed his life here with us and accomplishmnents..God Bless and be with his family.
D Watson, man! I just cannnot understand how a man in such great shape can pass so early. I was just with him the friday evening before he passed at the boxing gym where he was acting as my boxing trainer. After the workout we proceeded to talk about getting old but still looking good for our age, Thinking its about time for us to have kids, his reply to me was shhhhhhhhht man I’m to busy going boogie boarding and skying in Vancouver, at least your married i dont even have a woman lol. DAMN man we had plans on bringing boxing and fball worlds together in a training aspect, he had already trained some of my players from Inglewood, and was looking forward to me bringing more. He would never turn down a workout. Now we all have a host of fond memories and that infectious smile/laugh to remember. My man D absolutely lived his life to the fullest, from the 2am spiderman antics to the daily baggin sessions, how could the coaches put me in a dorm with Chad May as a ramrod, and D Wats (Wow) two of the biggest pranksters around I’m glad they did. My Prayers go out to his Family as well as the C.S.U.F fam.
huge loss,,,,im shook up!!
I am truly saddened to hear of his death. Darrius was hella cool. After the Nov. 2006 reunion, I hooked up up with Darrius in Tahoe. We snowboarded at Heavenly at had a great time. He really loved life and was in unbelievable shape. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. He will be missed.
Gon miss you D watt!! We had a lot of fun times in UTA. I can see you and shell rock performin on stage at the AKA talent show. miss ya big homie!!
D
It was an honor knowing you. May God be with you and your family.
As my God brother, and the reason why I played DB in football, I love Darrius. I’ve known him since birth, and being 13 years older than my brother and I we used to always emulate Darrius, just being so cool…We tried, but we couldn’t touch him. He will always be loved and remembered. Were still shocked.
R.I.P. D. WATT
You will be missed my brother but never forgotten. The world has lost a great one! I thank God that I got the oppurtunity to meet you and play with you for that 1 great season we shared together at U of L. You made practice with that coaching staff a little easier my brother. If anyone from the family should see this message please give me a call when you’re ready…313-268-7046. Love, Peace and Happiness!!!
Anthony Bridges #21 Darius Watson #43 Terry Quinn #40 Kevin Gaines #18 Sam Madison #13 Rico Clark #1 Tony Bethel #46 Kelvin Givens #32 and honorary Anthony Shelman #29
We will always be the MOB SQUAD BABY!!! Bring the pain!!
Knowing Darrius Watson (or as my bro and i called him as youths “Dar Dar Wat Wat!!!”)and encounters since birth was always for me has always been a joy and a blessing. As a young boy I always looked up to Darrius and admired him greatly. Much of this was because of his athletic performances I witnessed through out his high school and collegiate career, but also for the way he carried himself and also his wonderful personality. I have many fond memories of Darrius as far back as I can recall, many of them were at his sporting events and others at family functions. All of these experiences with Darrius were great influences on me which is why he has always been a role model for my lil brother and me. He made us love the game of football more and want to be like him and play corner back! He is greatly loved, appreciated by the Jones Family and will be truly missed! My heart rests knowing that Darrius is in a better place with God at eternal peace! Stay strong Titans and Watsons! much love and as Darrius would say “TITAN PRIDE BABY!!!”
I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to talk to u befdore God took u vutr I mnow ull hear me in ur heart
Man, Watson I didnt know you pass. The memories are forever. TeamMates
D watt, you will be missed. When I heard of the passing, I start thinking about the good times at UofL. God bless