USC's Chris Hawkins Gets Game Ball for Pac-12 Title Following Grandma's Death

As Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times reported, USC captain Chris Hawkins' beloved grandmother died hours before Friday's Pac-12 Championship Game against Stanford at Levi's Stadium.

Hawkins recorded a career-high 13 tackles in USC's 31-28 victory, and head coach Clay Helton honored the redshirt senior safety following the game.

Helton presented Hawkins with the game ball in the locker room during an emotional postgame speech.

"The man lost his grandmother," Helton began. "Woke up this morning with tears in his eyes and battled for his brothers like I've never seen before.

"You're the definition of a Trojan, son, and there's a reason that you're a team captain. I love you."

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