Marcus Cassel

Marcus was a member of the Orange County Junior All American Football Carson Colts; they were the 1997 Super Bowl champions! Early on, his coaches noticed his talent and Marcus parlayed his football career into a successful tenure at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. While attending St. John Bosco, Marcus was a star cornerback, and earned All State and All American honors. Although he was highly recruited by schools across the country, Marcus felt it was best to stay close to home, where he attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

While at UCLA, Marcus worked hard to become a leader and an impact player for the team. During his junior and senior years, he was a starting player. He played exceptionally well during the last game of his collegiate football career. UCLA played the University of Southern California. The rivalry was intense, but Marcus, always listed as an underdog, rose to the occasion, played his best, and was named Defensive Player of the Game!

Inside, Marcus lived with a steely determination to conquer all obstacles set before him. In 2006, Marcus graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This was a proud and joyous day. On the way home from graduation, Marcus leaned out the car window and yelled "I Did It ! It's a Celebration!" to the people on their way to other graduations. People stopped, clapped and cheered - happy to celebrate with him. He had an amazing way of making people feel like they were friends, he never met a stranger.

When Marcus was not on the field he loved to play video games, dance, listen to music and hang out with friends. His smile permeated everything that Marcus did. It was the perfect representation of who he was. Although he was quiet and very much a thinker-- when he talked, people listened, and when he smiled he left a lasting impression on others.

Marcus's ultimate dream was to play in the NFL. He signed with the Carolina Panthers, but injured his hamstring during training camp and was released from the team. This did not deter Marcus one bit, and he returned home, deciding to enter graduate school. However, our Heavenly Father had another plan. On November 17th, 2006, Marcus went to Glory to be with the Lord.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory his parents, Clyde and Joletta Cassel, His brother, Jason Hayes Cassel, his grandmother, Myrtle Terrell of Houston, Texas, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends. Preceding him to Glory were his beloved grandmother Lizzie Evans Jackson, grandfathers, Asberry Cassel and L.T. Wiggins, and uncle, Lucius Ray Terrell, Aunty Connie Sanders.