When brothers Mario and Jordan Nunez line up across from each other Friday night under the lights of Weingart Stadium, they’ll be facing off in one of the most storied high school football rivalries.
One will wear crimson and blue; the other red and gold, representing two sides of tradition that run deeper than football.
The Tarrant-Nunez family knows the East LA Classic is more than just a game. But for them, it’s also where legacy, grief, love and sibling rivalry meet on the field.
A Rough Rider legacy
At the center of it all is Kidada Tarrant, also known on the Roosevelt High School campus as “Ms. Kiki.” As the school’s cafeteria manager, she’s been a constant in the Boyle Heights community. But this week, she’s the proud — and conflicted — mother of two players on opposite sidelines: Jordan, a senior at Roosevelt High, and Mario, a junior at Garfield High.
“Now that I have a Bulldog and a [Rough] Rider, I will learn to share the love,” Tarrant said. She plans on wearing both school colors, sitting somewhere in the middle, and cheering for both her sons. “My inspiration was to get a half-and-half jersey, to be able to have a kid on both sides of the field.”
Tarrant began working at Roosevelt in 2011 and moved her young family to Boyle Heights, where they could also go to school. Mario and Jordan went to Euclid Avenue Elementary and then Hollenbeck Middle School. They also played in the Boyle Heights Wolfpack, a local youth football and cheer program.
Five of her six children attended Roosevelt. Her eldest son, Edward Nunez, Jr., was the first. He played basketball, graduated in 2017 and later returned to coach, helping lead the Rough Riders to their first-ever boys’ city championship in 2020.
“Go Getta”: The Meaning behind No. 33
Edward died in a car accident in 2021, but his memory lives on. In honor of their older brother, Jordan and Mario each wear the No. 3 jersey, together making No. 33, the jersey Edward wore as a Rough Rider basketball player.
“He was his little brothers’ inspiration, and he was their drive,” Tarrant said. “He was loved, not just by us … but also by the community. I very much appreciate that the community accepted us and my family as a whole, and we enjoy being a part of it.”
Edward’s motto, “Go Getta,” is tattooed on Jordan’s right arm. The catchphrase was also the name of a clothing brand Edward planned on launching. Now it’s a reminder to his brothers to go after their dreams.
Switching sides
While Jordan stayed at Roosevelt, Mario decided he needed a change. After a year at Roosevelt, he transferred to Garfield for a fresh start.
Tarrant didn’t hide her reaction.
“Are you serious?” she recalled saying when Mario first told her. “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you. You just have to make your decision … and be able to deal with everything that’s going to come with going to the other school.”
Mario has since settled in. “My mom was very accepting of it,” he said.
But the start of the football season wasn’t without setbacks. Mario suffered an ankle fracture during the summer, not knowing when he’d return to the field. But on Oct. 10, in his first varsity game, he rushed for 59 yards and scored a touchdown, helping lead the Bulldogs to a victory over South East High.
When Mario left Roosevelt, many wondered if Jordan would transfer, too. But Jordan says he couldn’t see himself anywhere else.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to go [to Roosevelt]. I stuck through it, and to be honest, I’m happy I did,” said Jordan. “I feel like the people over there at Garfield welcomed [Mario] with open arms, and they did the same for me and my mom [at Roosevelt].”
Sibling rivalry on the field
Tarrant describes her sons’ relationship as a mix of love and friendly competition. Jordan is cool, calm and collected. Mario is outspoken and adventurous. Although their personalities differ, their bond runs deep.
Even in rival colors, Jordan cheers for his brother.
“When I get his clips (highlights), I post them on my Instagram for others to see. I feel proud showing them,” said Jordan.
Mario feels it too.
“I’m very proud of how far he’s come, especially as a player, but even more as a brother,” Mario said. “When he does good, I do good. We both win.”
Friday’s Classic may be the last time the brothers share the field as opponents. Jordan, now a senior, hopes to finally come out on top and end Roosevelt’s losing streak. (Roosevelt hasn’t beaten Garfield since 2021).
But no matter who wins, the Tarrant-Nunez family knows they’ve already won. They carry the pride of two schools, two communities — the best of both worlds.
“I feel like it’s going to be a very great game, a lot of people are going to talk to us, especially because we’re brothers on the opposite side, and we both wear the same number,” said Mario.
Jordan agrees.
“Just because it’s a rivalry game, you can still have a relationship with those people,” he said.
