USC Fan Pellerin, 91, Dies During 797th Straight Game

Giles Pellerin, the 91-year-old USC fan who had an incredible streak of attending 797 consecutive games--home and away--died at the Rose Bowl Saturday.

Pellerin left Saturday’s game early in the second half, telling his brother, Oliver, that he didn’t feel well. He suffered cardiac arrest in the parking lot and was dead on arrival at a hospital. Official time of death was 2:45 p.m.

Pellerin’s fan dedication to USC football was legendary. He saw every USC-UCLA game ever played, as well as every USC-Notre Dame game. His USC streak started in 1926.

He attended 28 Rose Bowls and, ironically, saw his first college football game in 1923, at the site he died Saturday, the Rose Bowl.

Pellerin, of Pasadena, traveled more than 650,000 miles in his attendance streak, and spent an estimated $85,000 on travel.

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R. Jay Soward, bothered by a lingering ankle sprain, wasn’t much of a factor for USC.

Soward played only a dozen plays or so and didn’t return any kicks. He caught three passes for 22 yards, fumbling one of the receptions.

“I did what I could do,� Soward said. “I honestly think I could have had a little more opportunity.

“I was about 90%. Not full speed, but me 90% is a lot faster than a lot of people.�