Jim “Truck” Cullom (1922–1995): Cal Hall of Fame Athlete Whose Last Words Were "GO BEARS!"

Truck Cullom and Grave

Plot 9

Jim “Truck” Cullom was one of those rare figures who seemed to embody the spirit of the University of California—tough, loyal, and never short on humor. A standout lineman and kicker for the Golden Bears, Cullom was named a first-team All-Coast tackle in 1949 and earned the nickname “The Toe” for his remarkable kicking ability. Between 1947 and 1949, he set a Cal record by scoring in 25 consecutive games and successfully converting 103 point-after-touchdown attempts. During his three varsity seasons, the Bears compiled an extraordinary 29–3 record and made back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances under legendary coach Pappy Waldorf.

Cullom’s path to Berkeley came after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. His gridiron power and personality made him one of the team’s most recognizable figures. Teammates recalled his booming voice in the huddle, his knack for breaking tension with a perfectly timed wisecrack, and his natural leadership. He was once remembered telling a nervous substitute during the 1949 Rose Bowl, “Jeez, Brunk’s here—we’re going to have to block now.”

Truck Cullom

After graduating, Cullom briefly played professional football for the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference before being recalled to military duty for the Korean War, where he was wounded and carried shrapnel in his hip for the rest of his life. Friends said he never once complained about it.

Cullom’s professional stint came with the New York Yankees football team—not to be confused with the famous baseball club of the same name. The gridiron Yankees were part of the short-lived All-America Football Conference (AAFC), a rival league to the NFL that operated from 1946 to 1949. Based at Yankee Stadium, the team fielded many future NFL stars, including Spec Sanders and Buddy Young, and faced off against the powerhouse Cleveland Browns. When the AAFC folded, the football Yankees briefly joined the NFL for the 1950 season before disbanding. 

When he returned to Berkeley, Cullom threw himself back into Cal athletics, serving as an assistant coach in both football and rugby from 1964 to 1971 under head coach Ray Willsey. He was particularly beloved as freshman football coach—a role that perfectly fit his mix of discipline, humor, and compassion.

Truck Cullom Memorial Bench at Cal

Cullom was also an outstanding rugby player and remained devoted to the sport throughout his life, helping coach the Cal team alongside the legendary Doc Hudson. A bench at Witter Rugby Field was later dedicated in his honor, a permanent reminder of his devotion to the university he loved. Even after leaving coaching, Cullom stayed close to Cal through his travel agency, which organized fan trips so supporters could follow the Bears on the road.

In 1995, Cullom was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the university’s most cherished athletes and coaches. His friends and teammates described him as “the kind of man who knew everyone” and who carried a quiet dignity even in the face of pain.

Cullom’s humor, which had sustained him through decades of triumphs and battles, never left him—not even at the end. During his final days battling cancer, a group of close friends gathered at his hospital bedside. At one point, they were asked to leave the room so he could receive an enema. When they returned, one friend asked gently how he was feeling. Though drifting in and out of consciousness, Cullom opened his eyes, smiled faintly, and said, “We have met the enema—and the enema is us.” Laughter and tears filled the room.

On his final night, the Cal rugby team visited and serenaded him with the raucous Cal drinking song. Cullom, seemingly unconscious, lifted his head as they turned to leave and managed to murmur two words that summed up his life and his love for his alma mater:
“Go Bears.”

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Sources: San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate obituary “Cal Bids Farewell to Truck Cullom”; Cal Athletics Hall of Fame biography; University of California archives; All-America Football Conference historical records; Wikipedia; Find a Grave