RIP: Mario Danelo

1–2 minutes

January 6, 2007

This upsets us beyond belief, but it’s our sad obligation to report it: USC kicker Mario Danelo — who missed only one field goal attempt all season — was found dead Saturday, lying at the bottom of a cliff in San Pedro with no explanation of the circumstances that led up to his untimely passing. He was 21 years old.

Our sincere condolences to the Danelo family. Your son was a great Trojan and beyond that, a great human being. He will be missed.

Rest in peace, Mario. Say whats up to Ryan Francis, D-Russ and Bastianelli in Trojan heaven.

Mario Danelo: 1985-2007 [The FanHouse]
USC Kicker Mario Danelo Found Dead [Deadspin]

Max

January 6, 2007 at 10:16 pm

RIP and FIGHT ON

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LOVEMYIRISH

January 6, 2007 at 10:17 pm

What a horrible tragedy, I know that the whole Irish nation is sending out their prayers to his family.

Team rivalries mean nothing compared to this…

RIP Mario Danelo and God Bless.

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allie

January 6, 2007 at 11:00 pm

This is truly heartbreaking. What a tragic loss for the entire Trojan family! He was a tremendous player, teammate and person and will truly be missed.

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john

January 6, 2007 at 11:05 pm

sad 😦

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jim

January 6, 2007 at 11:19 pm

May God be with Mario’s family in the loss of their wonderful son and be comforted by the knowledge that he was an inspiration to his teammates, his fans and those who didn’t know him as a person but were overwhelmed by his undeniable athletic prowess. A huge loss.

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Defender90

January 7, 2007 at 12:28 am

RIP, Mario. A walk-on player who earned a scholarship 2 years later and then set an NCAA record for PATs; this year he was the team’s leading scorer. He will be missed by the Trojan family. Condolences go out to his family and friends and teammates.

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Ryan

January 8, 2007 at 7:59 am

RIP Mario. May God bless your family through this trying time. You will be missed. I hope the Trojans will dedicate this next season to your memory and hopefully win the NC in your honor.

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Ryan Killeen

January 9, 2007 at 12:15 am

Mario was an awesome trojan and an even better person. His constant smile and laughter will never be forgotten, and may he live on forever through our hearts and through our everyday lives. I love you buddy and i miss you so much!

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Michael Kelley

January 9, 2007 at 9:27 am

I met you at spring practice. You are truly a class act. I will miss you. As a Trojan, you wore number 19, as a person you will always wear number one. Rest easy!!!

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Tom Weyandt

January 9, 2007 at 4:00 pm

I would just like to send my condolences to the Danelo family.I am a huge SC fan from San Pedro.This is a huge loss for our community as well as the Trojan family.God bless Mario Danelo and God speed #19.You are a true Trojan for life.

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SDtrojan

January 9, 2007 at 4:23 pm

1. In bed, your wife says, “Get a Trojan” — you come back with USC Kicker Mario Danelo

this is horrible…did they find out what exactly happend?

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GVitty

January 9, 2007 at 8:48 pm

SDtrojan – in case there is any confusion, the reference to “Trojan” Danelo by Letterman was prior to the tragedy. No ill will, just an ironic sad twistof timing to what originally was great comedy.

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SDTrojan

January 10, 2007 at 3:47 am

yeah i know that the “trojan” was done first its just wierd how things happen but did they find out if there was foul play or anything involved??

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Dave

February 5, 2007 at 3:11 pm

I’m sorry to hear about this tragic incident. I just read that a toxicology report declare him to be 3 times the legal limit for intoxication. I don’t know the whole story on this but all the stories I’ve read said he was “found” at the bottom of the cliff. How long was he there and how long was it until the autopsy? Time between death, decomposition and autopsy (where they do toxicology tests) will affect the outcome of the toxicology. this is something I believe if the family doesn’t agree that he was intoxicated to climb to the point where he fell off, to question the legitimacy. Case in point, a friend of mine who was a state trooper in Ohio died in a fiery crash and was determined to be Drunk on duty, but further toxicology reports later found this to be untrue due to the time between death and autopsy. If it is unknown that he was intoxicated, I encourage the family to investigate this even farther before they let someone ruin his name. Regardless it’s a tragedy.

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faren grifin

February 8, 2008 at 7:44 pm

hi mario daendr usc i msss you live haert very must soon you with they with and a and thae love faren

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faren grifin

February 8, 2008 at 7:44 pm

hi mario daendr usc i msss you live haert very must soon you with they with and a and thae love faren

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