Cal Bears Explained: Traditions, Logo & History

What was The Play?

The final five seconds of the 1982 Big Game against Stanford.

Trailing 20-19 after a Stanford field goal, Cal returned the kickoff with five laterals and scored — the last man, Kevin Moen, running into the Stanford band, which had already come onto the field believing the game was over. The touchdown stood. It is the most replayed ending in college football history and remains the defining moment of the rivalry.

Who were the Wonder Teams?

Cal's football teams from 1920 to 1924 under head coach Andy Smith, who went unbeaten for five straight seasons — one of the longest unbeaten runs in college football history.

The 1920 side outscored opponents 510-14 and beat Ohio State 28-0 in the Rose Bowl. Cal claims national championships for 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923 out of that stretch, and the era remains the high point of the program.

What is the Big Game?

Cal's annual football rivalry with Stanford, first played in 1892 and the oldest rivalry in the western United States.

The winner takes the Stanford Axe, a trophy with a history of theft and counter-theft going back to 1899. The 1982 edition produced The Play, and the game is generally the most-attended date on either school's home schedule.

What happened to Roy "Wrong Way" Riegels?

In the 1929 Rose Bowl against Georgia Tech, Cal center Roy Riegels recovered a fumble, became disoriented, and ran roughly 65 yards toward his own end zone before a teammate turned him around near the one-yard line.

The resulting safety proved decisive in an 8-7 loss. Riegels played the second half and was later a team captain; the episode is among the most-told stories in college football and gave the sport a lasting phrase.

Has Cal ever won a basketball national championship?

Yes — the men's team won the NCAA tournament in 1959 under coach Pete Newell, beating West Virginia and Jerry West 71-70 in the final.

Cal returned to the championship game the following year and lost to Ohio State. Newell's defensive system was hugely influential, and the coaching clinic he later ran, the Big Man Camp, trained a generation of NBA post players.

Which NFL stars came out of Cal?

The program's modern reputation rests heavily on its quarterbacks and skill players: Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV MVP; Jared Goff, the first overall pick in 2016; Marshawn Lynch; Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history; and DeSean Jackson.

Cal also produced Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard, on the basketball side.

Cal Bears Records, Titles & Milestones

How many national championships have the Cal Bears won?

The Cal Bears have won 6 national championships (1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937, 1959).

Do the Cal Bears retire jersey numbers?

Cal honors its greatest athletes through the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame rather than a large slate of retired numbers; the football program's history is anchored by the Wonder Team era and by the players listed below.

Ring of Honor (5 members)

The Greatest Cal Bears Players of All Time

Who is the greatest Cal Bears player of all time?

By the measure of championships, individual honors, and lasting impact, Aaron Rodgers tops most all-time Cal Bears rankings. The full top 5 follows.

1. Aaron Rodgers QB \u00b7 2003-2004

   Arrived from junior college and rewrote Cal's passing records in two seasons, leading the 2004 team to a 10-1 regular season and a top-five ranking. He went on to a four-MVP NFL career and a Super Bowl XLV MVP award, and remains the most recognizable name the program has produced.

2. Jason Kidd PG \u00b7 1992-1994

   Two seasons in Berkeley were enough to make him a Cal legend — as a freshman he led the Bears past two-time defending champion Duke in the 1993 NCAA tournament. He was the second overall pick in 1994 and became a Hall of Fame point guard and an NBA champion.

3. Brick Muller E \u00b7 1920-1922

   The star of the Wonder Teams and a two-time All-American, remembered for a 50-yard touchdown pass thrown from the end position in Cal's 28-0 Rose Bowl win over Ohio State in January 1921. He was among the first West Coast players to gain genuine national fame.

4. Marshawn Lynch RB \u00b7 2004-2006

   The most punishing runner in program history and a Bay Area native from Oakland Tech. He ran for over 3,200 yards at Cal before a long NFL career that included a Super Bowl title with Seattle. His cart ride around Memorial Stadium after the 2006 Big Game is part of local folklore.

5. Tony Gonzalez TE \u00b7 1994-1996

   Played both football and basketball at Cal before becoming the most productive tight end in NFL history — 1,325 receptions across 17 seasons and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He is the strongest argument that Cal's reach extends well beyond its win-loss record.