Years before Kendricks brothers battled on NFL field, they faced off in college

This story originally was published in 2010.

Marvin Kendricks has his cheer all figured out.

His attire for Saturday’s game in Berkeley is another matter.

Wear the UCLA jersey or the Cal T-shirt? Go with Yale Blue and California Gold or True Blue and Gold? Cheer for the older or younger son?

Such is the challenge for the father of two ex-Hoover High stars who are now at Pac-10 schools.

“I just know I’m rooting for the defense,” Kendricks said. “Go defense! Go No. 30 – all the time.”

A star running back with UCLA in the early ’70s, Kendricks has long rooted for the Bruins.

But with son Mychal playing linebacker at Cal the past three years, Kendricks had in recent seasons primarily supported the Bears.

Then came this year, with younger son Eric now a linebacker at UCLA, leaving Marvin more torn than ever.

Saturday will mark the first time that the brothers will be on opposing teams, though with Eric redshirting, only Mychal will play. Both wear No. 30 jerseys.

“It’s just another game as far as our teams go, but it’s become a very big game for the family,” said Mychal, a junior starter for Cal. “It is something new to all of us, so we’re trying to figure things out.”

Though 17 months apart in age, the brothers rarely played together throughout their childhood.

For one season on the Hoover varsity, they did play linebacker side by side.

For Marvin Kendricks, those were the days.

At least the convenient days, with two sons starring on the same team and their games just a few miles from home.

These days, the family drives one weekend to Northern California for Bears home games, then south the next weekend for Bruins games. Marvin Kendricks is a season ticket holder for both teams.

So far, the schedule has cooperated.

The Kendricks family has had plenty to cheer for this year, particularly with Mychal enjoying a breakout season. The 6-foot, 241-pounder leads Cal and is second in the Pac-10 with 3.5 sacks. He has 21 tackles and two fumble recoveries.

“He’s doing really well,” Eric said. “He’s such a hard worker and he’s always hungry. I’ve never doubted his abilities. He's a force.”

Eric is waiting for his chance and trying to build up a 6-foot-1, 213-pound frame.

“Eric is very smart and he’s very athletic,” Mychal said. “When you get that combo, that’s pretty dangerous. His time will come.

“He’s the athlete in the family. He’s faster than me. He’s taller than me. There’s a lot of things he has that I wish I had. I’m just glad it’s my brother who has those advantages on me.”

There’s a chance Eric might not even be at the game since he's not on the travel squad, but neither brother has called the other this week.

Brotherly love can wait until next week, or maybe until the offseason.

“They’re both very competitive,” Marvin said.

In the meantime, Dad is just enjoying the moment as a proud papa.

But he also knows how much the family must enjoy this final year of the friendly family rivalry. Once Eric starts to play next season, the rivalry is expected to intensify.

“No doubt, it’ll be more difficult next year,” Marvin Kendricks said. “I just have to remember only to yell ‘Defense!’ That’s the smart way to cheer.”

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Years before Kendricks brothers battled on NFL field, they faced off in college."