Nobody will ever wear No. 12 again on the Cal football team. On Saturday, the Golden Bears will play with thoughts of the last Bear to wear No. 12 in their hearts and minds.
 
This Saturday is the annual Joe Roth Memorial Game when Cal hosts UCLA at 4 p.m. from California Memorial Stadium. Per the tradition, the Bears will don their throwback royal blue jerseys and gold helmets from the era when Roth played at Cal.
 
"You try not let any game get too big, but the Joe Roth game is so important to all of us," running back Alex Netherda said. "What Joe was able to accomplish in his short time here, and the principles that he held himself too, was really remarkable. When you hear his story, it's really admirable. He's the kind of guy you'd want on your team."
 
Roth played quarterback for the Bears from 1975-76. Under center for one of Cal's most prolific offenses in school history, he led Cal to a co-Pac-8 Championship in 1975. He accomplished incredible feats on the field all while battling melanoma. Shortly after graduating in 1977, Roth passed away from cancer.
 
His story lives on and his legacy gets stronger thanks to the annual tradition in his honor when Cal hosts either UCLA or USC each year.
 
"Joe Roth was one of those legendary Cal icons, and he really has a tremendous story from his time here," defensive end Luc Bequette said. "It's such an inspiring story, and as we reflect on that, we have to try to model our lives after the one he lived. His bravery to finish his career and graduate, it's inspiring and it shows you to never take any of these for granted."
 
Running backs coach Burl Toler III always heard stories about Roth's legacy because his father, Burl Toler Jr., was teammates with Roth at Cal.
 
Toler learned from his father at a young age how important Roth is to the Cal community.
 
"Everything that you hear about Joe is true," Toler said. "The one thing that stood out, according to my dad, is you'd never guess anything was wrong. He didn't show it at all. He just came in and took care of business, and he was a great guy every day. That made me realize every time I have it tough, there's always somebody who's having a harder time."
 
The importance of keeping Roth's memory in the Bears' minds goes beyond Saturday's game, but also to inspire them throughout their careers at Cal and the rest of their lives with the Roth-inspired slogan "Faith, Humility, Courage."
 
Netherda said he can't help but smile every time he sees the depiction of Roth's jersey on the padding in the corner of Memorial Stadium. It amazes Netherda how much Roth accomplished while facing so much adversity in a short period of time. 
 
He and the rest of the Bears get amped up when they put the special jerseys on.
 
"I think the throwbacks are one of the sleekest in college football," Netherda said. "When you wear it and think about why you're wearing it, for Joe, it feels good. The colors are so vibrant. When gameday comes and you put them on, it's electric. The whole team gets pumped up."
 
Toler knows that while the throwbacks are a great look and it creates a buzz in the locker room, but it's not just an alternate jersey. There's a special reason why they're worn. 
 
"Everybody likes the throwbacks, but the game means so much more than that," Toler said. "Thinking about what he went through, and how he pushed through and persevered, our guys hold that high, and that makes them push harder. When our guys put those jerseys on, it makes them feel more like a Cal Bear. Joe's story shines through our players every day."