Watching the 1999 USC vs UCLA game on P12 Network. They showed Petros on the sideline, and it reminded me of a hilarious story of his greatest shining moment. Found this in the LA Times archives.
Listen to the story that Petros Papadakis tells, his personal slice of the historic rivalry between USC and Notre Dame.
In the fall of 1998, the former USC tailback was determined to fulfill a dream by scoring against the Irish. Even better, he knew that the venerable Keith Jackson would be in the broadcast booth.
"I desperately wanted him to say my name on television," Papadakis recalled.
The game stayed close into the third quarter as the Trojans drove to the two-yard line -- perfect for a back who specialized in short-yardage situations. This was his big chance.
Except the coaches decided Carson Palmer should run a quarterback bootleg, leaving Papadakis the thankless task of faking a dive play into the line.
“I basically got destroyed," he said. "Got the wind knocked out of me. I'm on the ground half-dead. Carson walks in for the winning touchdown."
Still, Papadakis had one more shot at glory. Watching a tape of the game, he hoped Jackson might have praised his dramatic plunge. And, as he recalls, the announcer did. Sort of.
"Chad Morton with a great fake!"
Yea, he is a goofball. But he is our goofball.
