- Karl Dorrell
Karl Dorrell (b. December 18, 1963 in Alameda, California) is the first black head coach in the history of the UCLA Bruins college football team, a position he took on December 18, 2002. He attended Helix High School in La Mesa, California, where he was a two-time all-league selection and a honorable mention All-America as a senior. He led Helix to the CIF San Diego Section title in 1980 and to second place in 1981. He is married and has two children.
- Jimmy Johnson
James Earl Johnson (born March 31, 1938 in Dallas, Texas) was an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers. In 1994, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played both offense and defense as a college football player at the UCLA. His brother is Rafer Johnson, an Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist.
- Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson became the first African-American professional baseball player of the modern era in 1947. While not the first African American professional baseball player in history, his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers ended approximately eighty years of baseball segregation, also known as the baseball color line. The Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Robinson in 1962 and he was a member of six World Series teams.
- Troy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966 in West Covina, California, USA) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, and currently a television sportscaster for the Fox network. He is also a joint owner of the NASCAR Nextel Cup racing team, Hall of Fame Racing, along with fellow former Cowboys quarterback, Roger Staubach. He is considered one of the best NFL quarterbacks of his era, …
- Freddie Mitchell
Freddie Lee Mitchell (born November 28, 1978 in Lakeland, Florida) is a former American football wide receiver who most recently played for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a 1st round draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft out of UCLA.
- Kenny Easley
Kenny Mason Easley Jr. (born January 15, 1959) is a former American football strong safety who played seven seasons for the Seattle Seahawks from 1981 to 1987 in the National Football League. He is considered as one of the greatest Seahawks players of all-time and one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. Easley played college football at UCLA and was drafted in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft.
- Ken Norton
Kenneth Howard Norton, Jr. (born September 29, 1966 in Lincoln, Illinois) is a former American football linebacker who spent 13 years playing in the NFL. Ken Norton Jr. was the #51 49er that ended Napoleon McCallum's career, bending Napoleon's leg a way the human body never should bend. Norton Jr., a graduate of Westchester High School in California, went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in sociology at UCLA, …
- Gary Beban
Gary Joseph Beban (born August 5, 1946 in Redwood City, California) is a former American football player. Son of an Italian-born mother and a first generation Croatian-American father, Beban won the 1967 Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football, and the Maxwell Award, while playing quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins. Beban, known as "The Great One", excelled in both academics and athletics, …
- Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Phillip "Big Boy" Ogden (born July 31, 1974 in Washington, DC) is an American football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens. He received his education at St. Albans School, excelling not only in football but also in track and field. An All-American in both sports, he decided on the UCLA instead of the University of Florida because UCLA let him do track and field. A legitimate Olympic level shot-putter, he decided to focus on football.
- Wendell Tyler
Wendell Avery Tyler (born May 20, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana), was a former professional football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 205 lbs. running back from UCLA, Tyler played in 10 NFL seasons from 1977-1986 for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. In 1979, he helped lead the Rams to Super Bowl XIV where they were defeated 31-19 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew (born March 23, 1985 in Antioch, California) is a current American Football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was drafted in the second round (60th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. Drew graduated from national football powerhouse De La Salle High School in Concord and played three years of college football at UCLA before declaring himself eligible for the NFL draft after his Junior year.
- Drew Bennett
Andrew Russell Bennett (born August 26, 1978 in Berkeley, California) is an American football player in the National Football League. Bennett plays wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams whom acquired him as an free agent on March 3, 2007. He signed a six-year deal worth $30 million with $10 million in guarantees. During the 2004 season he tied an NFL record by scoring eight touchdowns in a three game span.
- Tom Fears
Thomas Jesse Fears (December 3, 1923 - January 4, 2000) was an American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League, playing nine seasons from 1948 to 1956. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Fears was the son of an American mining engineer who had married a Mexican woman, and moved with his family to Los Angeles at the age of six. There, he began to display his ample work ethic by unloading flowers for 25 cents an hour, …
- Rick Neuheisel
Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. (born February 7, 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an American football coach. Formerly a college head coach, he is currently the offensive coordinator for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, after being promoted from quarterbacks coach on January 15, 2007.
- Woody Strode
Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode (born July 28, 1914, Los Angeles, California; died December 31, 1994) was a decathlete and football star at UCLA before becoming a pioneering African-American film actor. Strode and fellow UCLA alumnus Kenny Washington were two of the first African-Americans to play in the National Football League, playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 1946. In 1948 and 1949, he played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
- Marcedes Lewis
Marcedes Alexis Lewis (born May 19, 1984 in Los Alamitos, California) is an American football tight end who plays for the National Football League Jacksonville Jaguars. He was drafted from UCLA as the 28th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was UCLA's only tight end to win the John Mackey Award for the best tight end in college football when he won in 2005. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. __TOC_
- Eric Turner
Eric Ray Turner (September 20, 1968 - May 28, 2000) was a defensive back who played for the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders. He died of intestinal cancer at the age of 31. Turner played college football at UCLA and was the 2nd overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft - the highest choice ever for a defensive back. Turner recorded 30 interceptions in just 109 career games, including returns for touchdowns of 93 and 94 yards.
- Ron Pitts
Ron Pitts (born October 14, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American sportscaster. He works for Fox Sports on its NFL coverage. Pitts is one of the network's play-by-play announcers, working alongside former National Football League and college football head coach Terry Donahue. He also co-hosts "Under the Helmet", a weekly E/I program full of NFL-related segments for younger viewers.
- Bob Waterfield
Robert Bob Waterfield (July 26, 1920 - March 25, 1983) was an American football player. Waterfield attended Van Nuys High School, in Van Nuys, California and went on to play college football for UCLA. During his senior year at UCLA, he married actress Jane Russell, and led the Bruins to the Pacific Coast Conference football championship. Waterfield then began his NFL career with the Cleveland Rams with their 5th pick in 1944 in the NFL Draft.
- Tommy Maddox
Thomas (Tommy) Alfred Maddox (born September 2, 1971 in Shreveport, Louisiana) was a football quarterback who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Deshaun Foster
DeShaun Xavier Foster (born January 10, 1980, in Charlotte, North Carolina) is an American football running back who plays for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.
- Ben Olson
Ben Olson (born February 23, 1983 in Thousand Oaks, California) is a redshirt sophomore quarterback for the 2006 UCLA Bruins football team. He excelled in football at Thousand Oaks High School, earning All-American honors in 2002. He wears number 7 and is listed as 6'5", 227 pounds.
- Chris Kluwe
Christopher James Kluwe (born December 24, 1981 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an NFL Punter. The Minnesota Vikings claimed him in 2005 off waivers from Seattle. The UCLA alumnus took over the job of 42-year-old veteran Darren Bennett who was released the day Kluwe was picked up.
- Marcus Cassel
Marcus Ray Cassel (January 6, 1983 - November 17, 2006) was an American football player. Born in Long Beach, California, Cassel was a graduate of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. Cassel played as a cornerback for the UCLA Bruins from 2002 until 2005 after redshirting in 2001. He started all 12 games as a senior, helping the Bruins to a 10-2 record. Cassel received a degree in psychology from UCLA. Cassel, who was not picked in the NFL Draft, …
- Tab Perry
Tab Wilson Perry (born January 20, 1982 in Pennsylvania) is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. He attended UCLA. Played wide receiver and safety in High School wearing the jersey number 3. During his first three seasons at UCLA, played wide receiver and wore the jersey number 1 (because number 3 was already taken). Worked hard over the summer, attending classes at three small schools in between his junior and senior year, …
- Kenny Washington
Kenneth S. "Kingfish" Washington (born August 31, 1918, Los Angeles, California; died June 24, 1971) was a professional football player who was one of the first African-Americans to play in the National Football League's modern (post-World War II) era. He was a star running back at Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles and in college at UCLA, rushing for 1,914 yards in his college career, a school record for 34 years.
- Cade McNown
Cade McNown (born January 12 1977 in Portland, Oregon) is a quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. Although McNown was an impressive quarterback during his early years, he may best be remembered for his disappointing NFL career.
- Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil (born April 22, 1959 in Jackson, Mississippi) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 214 lbs. running back from UCLA, McNeil played in 12 NFL seasons for the Jets from 1981-1992. He currently ranks second in Jets team history in rushing yards. In 1982, McNeil led the NFL in rushing with 786 yards.
- Shaun Williams
Shaun LeJon Williams (born October 10, 1976 in Oakland, California) is an American football player currently playing safety for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Williams attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and played both tailback and safety. He won All-CIF Division I and Del Rey League MVP in his last two seasons of his high school career. He attended UCLA where he majored in Pre-Psychology. Williams started in three of his four seasons at UCLA.
- Jarrad Page
Jarrad Page (born October 19, 1984) was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for UCLA in his collegiate career. Before being in UCLA, he grew up in San Leandro, California and was the top defensive safety for the San Leandro High School team.
- Matt Moore
Matt Moore (born August 9, 1984, in Van Nuys, California is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. He was the starting quarterback for the Oregon State Beavers football team from 2005 to 2006.
- Roman Phifer
Roman Phifer (born March 5, 1968) is an American football linebacker playing for the New York Giants. Phifer played for the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted in 1991 by the Rams. Coming out of UCLA he was the 36th overall pick in the draft. While at UCLA one of his roommates was Eric Turner. A starter for the Rams from 1992-98. Started as a rookie in 1991 until an ankle injury ended his season.
- Terry Donahue
Terry Donahue '67, M.S. '77 former head coach for UCLA Bruins football and former general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, has been named the 2008 Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year. Donahue built his team into one of the top programs in the country. During his 20-year career with UCLA, he became the coach with the most wins in Pac-10 (98 league victories) and UCLA (151 wins) history.
- Fulton Kuykendall
Fulton Kuykendall was a former NFL football player. He is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles who played pro football from 1975–1985 for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Donnie Edwards
Donnie Edwards, Jr. (born April 6, 1973 in San Diego, California), is an American football linebacker playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Lynn Compton
Lynn D. "Buck" Compton (born December 31 1921) is a retired California Court of Appeal Judge who served as the lead prosecutor in Sirhan Sirhan's trial for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. During World War II, Compton was awarded a Silver Star while serving as a Second Lieutenant commanding the 2nd platoon of Easy Company in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, which gained him his promotion to First Lieutenant.
- Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas (born July 17, 1980 in El Centro, California) is a professional American football linebacker, who graduated from Imperial High School in Imperial Valley and UCLA. He is currently with the Oakland Raiders after being released by the Green Bay Packers. He started his career with the St. Louis Rams, as the 31st overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
- Ben Emanuel
Benjamin F. Emanuel (born on June 18, 1982 in Texas City, Texas) is a player in the National Football League. He plays the free safety position. He went to UCLA. He attended Clear Brook High School.
- Michael Young
Michael Young (born February 21, 1962 in Hanford, California) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for ten seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League.
- Joe Cowan
Joseph William Cowan (born on September 15, 1984 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a Canadian-born American college football wide receiver for the UCLA Bruins.