N.C. man discovers 1942 Rose Bowl trophy in garbage

Discovering a Rose Bowl trophy is one thing. But coming across a 1942 Rose Bowl trophy — a relic from the only time "The Granddaddy of Them All" wasn't played in Pasadena, Calif. — is something different altogether. But according to a report by ABC 11 news in Raleigh, N.C., that's exactly what happened to one lucky man.

The junk collector — who wished to remain anonymous — stumbled upon the piece of college football history four months ago while sifting through trash. The 1942 Rose Bowl between Duke and Oregon State was moved to Durham, N.C. due to a government ban on all large public gatherings on the West Coast of the United States in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack. The Beavers beat the Blue Devils 20-16 at Duke's home stadium in front of 56,000 fans (some of which sat on borrowed bleachers from nearby University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill).

Even coaches on the losing side received hardware. The recovered item appears to have been originally awarded to then-Blue Devils backfield coach Eddie Cameron — the same Eddie Cameron who has an Indoor Stadium named after him.

The man plans to let Duke have the first chance to buy the trophy. After that, he says it will go to the highest bidder.

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