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Joe was funny

Joe and I became familiar with each other while competing in varsity sports. Joe was a three sport star at Granite Hills High while I played football and baseball at rival Santana High School. Participating in football while lining up against each other (Joe at quarterback and me playing middle linebacker), were memorable games with Granite Hills always being victorious........it still stings! Joe was funny during battle with a very relaxed and kidding demeanor. Engaging in a varsity baseball game, Joe stepped into the batters box (I was the catcher) and was quite chatty. He would tease "how you gonna get me out this time Saska?" I would respond "you can't hit" and then he would rope a line drive double to right center. I liked Joe from our first minute of competition. Following high school, Joe and I became close friends at Grossmont College. In our sophomore season (1974) we achieved perfection by becoming California State Champs with an undefeated season. Having similar leadership qualities led us to being season long team captains of both offense and defense. I cherished walking at Joe's side to the center of the gridiron prior to each game. Standing arm in arm before kickoff was such a thrill, I knew how special each "coin toss" was. Joe wanted me to make the "heads or tails" call and always let me do it. He'd humorously say "you call it Saska..........you know everything"! Deep down Joe was greater than needing the pre-game thrill. His enjoyment came from watching me passionately doing so. This was Joe Roth, he was bigger than life. Tom Saska Teammate & Friend

Joe Roth/Pete Sitta and Kip's

My freshman year (1974) at CAL in lived in the dorms at Norton Hall. In the spring quarter 1975, Pete Sitta, who became CAL's starting middle linebacker in 1975, moved into Norton along with the guy who would be CAL's punter the next 2 years. Turns out Pete was friends with Joe Roth from their JC days in San Diego. Pete and Joe went to rival schools. The first week on that quarter, Pete invited me along with Joe and several other CAL FB players to go out to Kip's for dinner and to drink some beer. I met Joe and of course didn't know who he was or what he would evntually become as a QB at CAL. I remember him as a very nice, quiet and humble guy. I enjoyed watching him as CAL's QB in 1975 and almost taking us to the Rose Bowl that year. Another memory I have of him was being able to watch him and the CAL FB team practice on the field behind Harmon gym, which was also CAL's BB field. I had a class in Harmon in the afternoon during the FB season and could see what an absolute stud he was throwing balls in practice. I count myself lucky to have met such a nice guy and great QB. It is still one of my fondest memories of my days at CAL. Of course, when he passed, I was quite sad. I will always be a Joe Roth and CAL fan. Thanks Joe, GO BEARS!!!!!

John Ramirez

I am one of the lucky persons to have met Joe prior to a game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. My best friend Ed Duncan knew Allen Saunders, Joe's coach 1976-1977. It was late in the season and you could tell Joe was in pain. He went out and played a great game. The following year, both Ed and I and our family attended the first Joe Roth Memorial. If you were there it was a glorious day, one that I am sure Joe ordered up for all of us.

Team Mate Mom

Joe was such and inspiration at Granite Hills. Everything just looked so natural. Joe was a tall, skinny ,long legged young man , but he had strength and he could deliver that football. My son, Jimmie Johnson(not the Nascar one) played with Joe along with Mike Ortega, and Don Kramer. That is when I started to really enjoy football. They were exciting to watch.My son made the first touchdown his freshman year.Joe was a leader and we certainly lost One of a kind in him. My family was at Granite recently when they retired his # 12 jersey. Our grandson plays there. It was quite emotional for me because our son Jimmie is also deceased. But we can all cherish the early memories of our sons and be extremely proud. I am positive had Joe lived he would have been one of the greatest professional Quarterbacks of all time.I knew when his nephew walked on the field as part of the retirement ceremony, he was a Roth. His hair, his face, the way he walked. His family can rest assured that Joe will always be remembered at Granite Hills with Love, and the fondest memories. He is still missed. A Mom that remembers. Shirley Johnson

Joe and Tom Roth

I am a UCLA grad and football fan and am honored to share my thoughts of Joe Roth just hours before todays kickoff of the Joe Roth Memorial Game between UCLA and Cal. I watched many of Joe's games when I was an undergrad at UCLA and later when I attended Univ. of San Francisco Law School. Joe was quite simply the best college quarterback I have ever seen--then, and now. He was graceful and fluid in the pocket. His footwork and delivery were impeccable. Beyond that, he was the true definition of a student-athlete. I grew up in Eastern Washington state and was a WSU Cougar fan in my youth. My father and I would drive 2 hours to Pullman and Spokane on autumn Saturdays to watch our beloved Cougars. I remember Tom Roth who quarterbacked the Cougars to an improbable 7 and 3 record in 1965 and were nicknamed the cardiac kids who were coached by Bert Clark. Years later I wondered if Joe and Tom were brothers. Today, over 31 years later, I have that answer thanks to this website. I thank Cal for keeping Joe's legacy as vibrant today as it was over 30 years ago. He remains a hero and a role model.

Newman Hall encounter

Joe was the QB my senior year. My buddy (who was to become my brother in law 22 years later) introduced me to him after Sunday Mass at Newman Hall. He seemed like a very humble and quiet guy. He died the year after I graduated. I was at Brennan's at the foot of Univeristy drinking when I saw his picture on the TV behind the bar on the 10 o'clock news. Since football season was over (was it February?), I knew immediately that the news was not going to be good.

The Legacy Of Joe

I was in the Cal Band from 1972-1975 when we came ever so close to going to the Rose Bowl (darn you John McKay). As such, I always thought of Joe as "my quarterback." It is hard for me to imagine that it has already been two years since I got to spend a remarkable afternoon and evening with Joe's parents, Lena and Larry, his brother John and John's daughter Ashley. This was my "reward" for having worked behind the scenes for over 10 years with the Roths and the Cal Athletic Department to get copies of Lena's book, "Joes' Fight for Life" republished. To see the look on the Roths' faces when they got to see the memorial locker for the first time and Lena's joy as she held a copy of the book, signed hundreds of copies for fans who all had a story to share was a memory I will cherish forever. From the point I first made contact with Lena in the mid- 1990's until the day we delivered the new books in 2006, her quiet encouragement and appreciation were always accompanied by a question, "Why are you doing this?" And my answer was always the same, "Joe was your son but he was my quarterback." As we approach another Joe Roth Memorial Game vs. Ucla on October 25, I will be in the stands wearing my #12 commemorative jersey and pointing to the sky thanking Joe for the glorious memories and the opportunity to keep his story alive. GO BEARS!

Lena Sees Books November 4, 2006

Inspiration to Youth

In 1976, I was pregnant with my son and huffed and puffed my way up to the stadium to watch Joe play. My son was born in January of 1977 and it was just a few weeks later that I learned of his passing. I was shocked that he was able to play at such a high level while seriously ill and not let anyone know. Since then, I have tried to live my own personal life as he did --- I don't use my problems as a means of getting sympathy or as an excuse for mediocrity. I always strive to be the best that I can be.