Trojans reminded of the true meaning of "Fight On"

Ryan Davidson has stats you would never expect in USC's locker room.

Two series of radiation treatments for 12 weeks.

Two experimental treatments for 24 weeks.

Four tumors removed in the last nine years.

And he's only 15.

But two numbers define Ryan much better -- $30,000 in three years. That's how much he's raised to help others in his situation.

After finding out his cancer returned for a fourth time this summer, he told his dad, "We've got to raise the most money ever. I don't want any other kid to go through what I've been through." Ryan plans on padding his stats with another fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, dubbing his efforts "Team Trojan."

His story -- and his positive attitude -- have become legendary in USC football circles. As a hard-core Trojan fan living in Wisconsin, it seems unlikely that he might have developed close bonds with the team. But thanks to the generous efforts of USC alum Jim Phillips, Ryan has made annual trips to see USC play in the Coliseum and has grown close with several of the players. LenDale White promised to score a touchdown for Ryan against UCLA in 2005. He scored two. Matt Leinart still keeps in touch and has flown Ryan out to NFL games. Today, guys like Rey Maualuga and Jeff Byers see him in a crowd and shout out his name. Pete Carroll calls him their good-luck charm.

This weekend at the USC-Arizona State game, Maualuga promised Ryan he would level one of his famous bone-crunching tackles against a Sun Devil. Afterward, he started to apologize for not hitting anybody hard enough. Then Ryan pointed out that Maualuga knocked quarterback Rudy Carpenter out of the game.

Ryan's upbeat personality has become an inspiration to this generation of Trojans and they've welcomed him into their huddles and locker rooms. He was an honorary team captain this week and was awarded the game ball after a 28-0 victory. When he's with the team, he takes on a characteristic of many players: nothing from the outside world matters, especially not those stats. Ryan's just thrilled to be there.

The feeling is mutual.

-- Adam Rose

NOTE: You can keep up with Ryan on his website.