The Trojan Family, Literally
LOS ANGELES — Allan Graf started at center for the undefeated 1972 Trojan team that is still regarded as one of the best in the history of college football. Fourteen years later, safety Tim McDonald was named a consensus All-American in the final season of his brilliant Trojan career.
In the late 80s, John Katnik started two years at center, including his senior season, in which the Trojans appeared primed for a come-from-behind Rose Bowl victory until quarterback Rodney Peete fumbled a late snap and the Michigan State Spartans were able to run out the clock.
These three players are part of a rich football tradition at USC, but they also share a deeper bond. Each former Trojan has a son who plays on this year’s team.
Graf’s youngest son, Kevin, currently starts at offensive tackle, and a decade ago Kevin’s brother, Derek, also played on the offensive line for the Trojans.
“I’m very proud that I have two sons who played at SC,” said Graf. “Now I don’t know how many people can claim that, but it’s a big thrill for me as a dad.”
Derek was bothered by injuries throughout his Trojan career, but he was able to start three crucial games as a senior, including USC’s 2003 Orange Bowl victory over Iowa. Kevin, who was only 11 at the time, fondly remembers watching his big brother block for Orange Bowl MVP Carson Palmer.
“I’ve always found this place very special,” said Kevin. “I grew up basically my whole life coming here (and) staying with my brother at his apartment. I was very honored to be able to play here and now I’m starting, so it’s very exciting.”
Tim McDonald’s son, Tim Jr. or T.J., as he’s most commonly known, plays safety just like his dad. Also like his dad, he has been selected as a Division 1 All-American.
Early on, the senior McDonald stressed to his son his intense loyalty to the university that helped transform into a phenomenal player. T.J. said, “’Once you go to USC, you’re a Trojan for life,’ he told me. ‘Nobody can take that away from you.’”
Ironically, T.J.’s younger brother, Tevin, plays for the crosstown rival that Tim Sr. spent his playing days detesting, the UCLA Bruins. That’s the same school that beat the Trojans three of four times during his collegiate career. “He’s rooting for Tevin, but he’s not wearing any blue,” said a grinning T.J. “I can tell you that.”
T.J. was in third grade when his father finally hung up his cleats after 13 NFL seasons, in which he earned six Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship.
“I always dreamed to be in this position.” said T.J. “I still have a long ways to go, big shoes to fill, and I’m not even halfway there.”
Throughout his NFL career, McDonald Sr. frustrated opposing quarterbacks, intercepting a total of 40 passes.
“Every day I see Tim McDonald Jr. like his father,” said offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu, who was the elder safety’s teammate from 1983-1985. “It’s a special bond when you come out of that tunnel and you put on the cardinal and gold, and your father’s part of that history. It’s a special feeling.”
And “special” is a word that kept coming up.
“It’s special,” said the youngest Graf. “It’s a special thing. Not many people have gotten to do what I’ve gotten to do with my family. It’s touching for my dad and for my brother.”
Like Graf, John Katnik (he has the same name as his dad without the “junior” title), developed his Trojan pride as a kid after being taken to football games by his father. While Graf’s older brother gave him an added incentive to come to campus, Katnik had three cousins who played for USC between 2000 and 2007. In fact, his cousin Norm Katnik played with Derek Graf for three seasons. Although Kevin and John didn’t know each other at the time, they were surely at some of the same games.
Katnik said his father never really bragged much about his USC playing career, but claims he was instrumental in teaching him blocking techniques in high school. “He started helping me out with football and techniques, and that’s what helped me to achieve getting here,” said the son.
After a successful career at Palos Verdes High School, Katnik didn’t need any convincing as to where he should play his college ball. Walking on at USC seemed like the natural fit for him. “Just pretty much going to the games, being on campus, just growing up and seeing the atmosphere and seeing what it feels like to be a Trojan…it sells itself,” said Katnik.
McDonald, along with Matt Barkley who also wears No. 7, famously elected to return to USC for his senior season in pursuit of a national championship. Despite beginning the season as the Associated Press’ No. 1-ranked team, the Trojans have already dropped three games and appear headed for a non-BCS bowl.
McDonald won’t be winning a national title this year or during his collegiate career for that matter. Graf, who is a redshirt junior, will have another opportunity next year, but for now he will continue to endure good-natured ribbing from his dad, who won a championship ring with the aforementioned ’72 Trojans.
“We’ve always joked about it,” said Allan Graf. “I’ve flashed my ring to him, but they (Kevin and Derek) don’t care anymore.” Graf was hoping his youngest son could catch up to him in national championships (one) this season, but he’s extremely proud nonetheless. “He’s a great drive blocker,” said Graf of his youngest son. “Last game (against Arizona), he had seven pancakes. How awesome is that?”
Since Allan’s playing days, players, particularly on the offensive line, are much bigger than they used to be. While Kevin may envy his father’s national championship, his dad envies his size and speed. “I wish I had Kevin’s size when I was playing,” said Allan. “To be that big and to move that fast is cool.”
“When I was in college, and somebody would come talk to us that played 10, 15 years before and they were so small, we’d all say, ‘God. How did those guys ever play? They’re so small,’” said Allan. “Now, Kevin is 6-foot-6, 305, and I’m barely 6-foot-1, 250. How did we ever play?”
Allan Graf, 62, has spent more than 35 years in the filmmaking industry. It’s no wonder he likens his playing days to performing on stage.
After all these years, Graf’s college memories remain as vivid as ever. He tells of the 1973 National Championship game, in which the Trojans “performed” in front of the largest Rose Bowl crowd ever.
The nearly 107,000 onlookers witnessed the mighty Trojans take down Ohio State, 42-17. The teams were knotted at seven points apiece at halftime, but according to Graf, he convinced coach John McKay to revert back to the blocking schemes USC had been using all season. The move paid huge dividends.
Allan Graf also fondly remembers his match-ups with Notre Dame. In three years, Graf’s Trojans never lost to the Fighting Irish. History will always celebrate Trojan running back Anthony Davis, who set a single-game, school-record with six rushing touchdowns against Notre Dame in 1972. But without some crucial blocks from Graf, Davis may not have danced in the end zone quite as often that day.
When Graf discusses his youngest son’s Trojan career, he seems just as thrilled as when he retells his own playing exploits. “Last year, Kevin got to go to Notre Dame and play under the lights, first time in 20 years and what a great experience that was,” said the proud father.
“It was great for me, too, sitting in the stands with Derek watching and it was such an exciting game.
“You just can’t describe those kind of times.”
It’s certainly not a competition, but senior center Abe Markowitz’s Trojan legacy goes back even further than that of Graf, McDonald and Katnik. Markowitz’s grandfather, Larry, played running back for the Trojans in the early 50s.
While Larry’s son, Barry, played linebacker for the Bruins, his grandson is thankful he’s gotten the opportunity to rock the cardinal and gold like his grandfather. “It really took me halfway through freshman year to realize how much it means to be a part of the Trojan family and how him coming here shaped his lifestyle,” said Markowitz.
“One of the things that really helped raise my game growing up was I had two generations of guys that played football, and they showed me how to be tough and how to be prepared and to play real hard.”
Markowitz’s grandfather always used to tell him, “Once you’re on the field, you’re always running around.” If Markowitz begins to walk off the field, his grandfather’s voice sounds within his head, encouraging him to pick it up the pace.
The Trojan family is highly valued at USC. Players, coaches and the entire community of students and alumni share a unique bond for life. But next time the “Trojan family” is mentioned, think about an even stronger bond – one that cannot fully be understood by anyone other than those described in this story (and the select other father-son legacies from past years).
Only Allan, Kevin and Derek Graf can truly understood the utter joy they felt watching the Trojans beat the Fighting Irish under the lights in South Bend last year. Only T.J. and Tim McDonald Sr. can truly comprehend what it feels like to be the only father-son duo to be named All-American safeties for the same school in college football history.
Stories like the ones told above certainly help, but the endeavor is ultimately hopeless.
We will never completely understand.
Originally published by Neon Tommy.