When Dameron Ricketts played quarterback and defensive back for Culver City HIgh in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Times called him a "one man show."
Folks still talk about a game he played against Santa Monica High where he ran for an 81-yard touchdown, passed for a 45-yard touchdown to favorite target Tommy Covington and intercepted a pass on a two-point conversion.
With the score tied 20-20 on the final play of the game he picked off another pass and ran it back 65 yards for a game-winning touchdown, Culver City 26, Santa Monica 20, breaking several tackles on the way to the house.
Ricketts earned All-City and All-Southern Section honors for his play, named as one of the "Best in the West" recruits by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
At Oregon he was a clutch play-making receiver alongside friend Cristin McLemore from 1993-1996, one of the stars on the 1994 Rose Bowl team with a knack for making big plays in big moments. He would pull the ball down over the middle, scamper past tacklers, break for extra yardage.
Against No. 19 USC in '94 in the Coliseum starting quarterback Danny O'Neil was out with an injury. The team needed a big play on second and 7. Ricketts pulled down a pass over the middle for 20 yards, extending the drive.
The Ducks upset the Trojans 22-7, a key moment in their drive to their first Rose Bowl in 36 years, a triumphant homecoming for Ricketts and McLemore and the contingent of players from SoCal.
Against Washington that year Oregon trailed 20-17 in the fourth quarter. The offense drove 98 yards to score a go-ahead touchdown.O’Neil threw from the back of the end zone to find Ricketts for 35-yards, then he took another catch past midfield, breaking tackles.
They finished the season with six straight wins to win the conference championship.
As a Duck Ricketts had six career touchdowns and 84 receptions for nearly 1,200 yards, a charismatic leader, popular with his teammates.
After football he lived in Tacoma, Washington and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Teammate and friend Eric Edwards said on Facebook, "The Duck family lost a good one. One of the toughest Wide Receivers I played with and against. Off the field Dameron Ricketts was quiet but had big heart. His smile was even larger. He really was 1 of 1. Rest Easy Dameron."
Cancer claimed his life at age 51. A memorial service will be held for him in Culver City on June 14.