MIKE CHIEN/Daily Bruin Models strut and pose on the runway
during the "Erection" fashion show co-organized by UCLA football
player Devon Reese.
By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Reporter
[email protected]
Football players are used to the public eye, but former Bruin
wide receiver Devon Reese was subject to more eyeballing than usual
last Tuesday night when he strutted down the catwalk in jockey
shorts.
Rather than the cheers of Rose Bowl fans, Reese earned the
catcalls of the predominantly female audience at
“Erection” ““ Fashion and Student Trends’
student fashion show.
The football field and the field of fashion might seem
disparate, but for Reese and former strong safety Jason Stephens, a
fellow model, the transition was natural.
“Devon’s multi-talented,” current senior
linebacker Marcus Reese, unrelated to Devon, said after watching
the show. “I expected this. He was always the best dressed.
He’d have the best shoes in meetings. He’d make sure
his uniform looked pretty.”
Devon Reese came on to the team as a walk-on, earning a
scholarship this season, so he always looked toward a career off
the field. He thought about working in law enforcement or
fashion.
Going FBI or DKNY could not seem more different, but Reese said
he was drawn to both because he wanted to work with people day in
and day out. Ultimately, clothes won out.
“All I knew was I like to shop,” said Reese, who not
only modeled but also co-organized the show with other
students.
Reese will now get to shop for a living. After he graduates this
June in sociology, he has a position as a buyer for
Robinson’s-May.
Stephens has followed his teammate down the Prada path, signing
with MAC Models International.
“I’ve been interested in it for a while. Because
football didn’t work out, I’m trying this,”
Stephens said.
Stephens won the UCLA Captain Don Brown Memorial Award for most
improved player this past season with 36 total tackles after two
difficult years where he was not utilized by defensive
coordinators. He started eight games, missing three with turf toe,
and finishing with one sack, seven passes broken up and two fumbles
caused.
The notoriously hard hitter looked much more friendly dancing
down the catwalk. Regardless of his modeling future, Stephens has a
position with an advertising agency after he graduates in June with
a degree in history.
Will this start a trend among the football team?
“They made it look like fun, but no I wouldn’t want
to do it,” former fullback Matt Stanley said.
“When they started taking their shirts off I thought
“˜No’. I’m shy,” Marcus said.
Though he cracked a smile a few times during the show, he
admired Reese and Stephens’ nerve.
Life after football continues, in style.