Upon Ronald Reagan's death, Eudell Watts' daughter, Marie Grigsby, shared the following stories about the lifelong friendship of two football players at Eureka College. When Reagan was a movie star, Eudell would tell his family how Mr. Reagan was just an "ordinary joe, just one of the guys." Whenever the two friends had occasion to meet, such as the dedication of the Eureka College Library, Mr. Reagan never forgot his old friend, "Lump," who was known for the lumps he gave to the opposing team.

When Mr. Reagan spoke to the Davenport Chamber of Commerce between his movie and political careers, Lump tried to slip into the back door to hear him speak. Mr. Reagan saw him and waved him to come up front. He never forgot his old football buddies.

When Ronald Reagan wrote his autobiography, "Where's the Rest of Me?" he recalled his old friend, Eudell Watts. He told about a drop kick field goal that won the game and also the fact that Eudell had to leave Eureka College because of the Depression. In spite of that he still created a successful trucking company in Rock Island.

"We delight in the friendship between our dad and Ronald Reagan." Mrs. Grigsby said. "Because the future president chose to remember dad in the pages of his 1965 autobiography, he put a glimpse of Eudell Watts Jr. on bookshelves across the nation and carried his name into history forever."

In 1980, Eudell was ill and received a get-well card from the future President. Later he was invited to the inauguration. In 1990, Eudell Watts died, but President Reagan sent a heart-felt note to his family:
"I'll always be grateful for Lump's friendship and hope that Our Lord will comfort you with many warm memories of him."

Reagan and Watts were teammates on the Eureka college football team in 1928. Ronald Reagan is wearing a white uniform in the second row. Eudell Watts is at the right end of the first row. These pictures were submitted by Eudell's daughter, Marie Grigsby