DKR last night

[hoopshookem]

jshorns03,
Look for the book "When Football Becomes War" by Robert Heard. It's a good read of the history of TX/ou that has a focus on DKR's success vs the okies and the flustrations he incurred having to compete with the cheating of the Switzer era. It will give you a good perception of the "okie inferiority complex" you see demonstrated today by okies with nowhere better to be than on a Texas fan site.I had the pleasure to be a UT student from '67-'71 during the 30 game win streak.
The upcoming season with the west coast team Stanford excites me in comparsion to the opening '69 game with Cal. The fans and press knew after the '68 season, the Horns might be special but there was so much anticipation and hope riding on that opening game. No particular disregard to the LA directional school the Horns open with, I have that feeling of anticipation re Stanford '00 that I did Cal '67.Hook Em & God Bless Darrell forever!------------------
" The alumni and press are way ahead of our football team in preparation" DKR '69

 

[Cormac]

DKR is a good man, but I think even he would be perturbed by the demagoguery aspect some people apparently feel for him. Respect him? Sure. He's earned it.But people should view him (or any other sports figure, for that matter) as a person, not as a god or as a hero up on a marble pedestal. I've met DKR, and believe me, at heart he is a down-to-earth regular guy. Like a lot of folks growing up in the 40's/50's era, he grew up without any silver spoons. He was "just plain folks" and he's never forgotten it.Sorry if I've offended anyone, but I just don't understand the hero worship so many people imbibe in when it comes to sports figures.

 

[Texanne]

Someone else who has led our Longhorns with the same type of dignity and humility as Darrell Royal is one of his protegees -- David McWilliams. It's a shame that his coaching career at Texas did not have the same outcome as DKR's, but he learned a lot about how to treat people while here.I've seen Coach McWilliams a few times at various functions, and he always has been extraordinarily cordial and nice to everyone he meets. Just last year at the Texas-OU game, he and DKR walked past my group of friends and I stopped them both so evefyone in my group could introduce themselves and we could all shake hands. Both men treated each one of us like we were friends.------------------
"You only call us 'cow college' because our college was invented by a cow."
--Anonymous Springfield A&M alum

 

[Not that Bob]

Cormac,I hope (and don't think) anyone on this thread is worshiping here. This is a sports board and we are enjoying our memories regarding a sports legend. Within those parameters the conversation seems appropriate.On the grand scale of things I would say that I respect the men who stormed the beaches at Normandy more than DKR, but we're talking sports here. Worship I reserve for Jesus Christ.------------------
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here.

 

[Texas Rugby]

One of my favorite DKR stories comes from the book "Fifty Years on the Fifty: The Orange Bowl Story:"Sportmanship, Texas Style Before the Texas players took the field against Alabama (in the 1965 Orange Bowl), Coach Darrell Royal wanted to talk about QB Joe Namath one more time -- about what he did not want them to do to the Alabama star.
"Listen, men. I always ask you to play hard. But I want to make sure nobody goes after Namath's knee. That's not how we play football," Royal said.
"You just do not want to hurt anybody, especially a guy that had the future Joe Namath did," Royal said. "That made it doubly important. We did not want to win the game by hurting him anyway. We wanted to win it with him in there."

 

[Scrap Iron]

Crown Price Liam,Thanks for the story.

 

[huge]

Agreed.....great post, although the positive tone that DKR imparts upon it is darkened a bit by the mention of Will Birdwell. I knew Will also and can attest that he will be missed.He and another friend talked me into going to the Stanford game last year after I had left my ticket in Houston. I ended up getting in for $5 and had a great time (hey, 69-17) and will remember the day for 2 reasons...the score and my ride.

 

[LonghornGirlie]

No question. This one is Classics bound, although for very different reasons that the usual Classics post . Rest assured that if this thread gets off track with any Sooner or Aggie nonsense that I will be editing liberally and without remorse. That said, its no wonder CCD would like to lay claim to our Coach... you can hardly blame him.As for myself, I have had little direct interation with Coach Royal. A couple of handshakes at banquets and such where he has always been the kind and friendly person depicted in this thread. Coach Royal has always been a part of my life though. Born in 1968, I was raised on chocolate milk and Longhorn football. I remember the OU games of my childhood as well as I remember the Christmases. And when my father wanted to teach us something about integrity and decency, he would often use Coach Royal as an example. Thank you, Coach.

 

[kchorn]

Katy - they ought to put this in the Classic Posts for some of us old guys -- and for lots of the younger ones.

 

[vegashorn]

Texanne Moderator,I agree 100% with your post regarding Coach McWilliams. Although he didn't meet with the success that Coach Royal did, he is truly a gentleman in the same vein as DKR is. He has always gone out of his way to be friendly to me and my family whenever we see them. His love for the University and his support for UT is not surpassed by anyone. I'm not trying to throw comparisons up here between DKR and Coach David, but one has to consider that his respect and graciousness to all are especially commendable in light of the fact of his coaching record and forced resignation as head coach. In spite of that, he remains loyal to UT, and shows the upmost regard to everyone associated, including us fans. Thanks go out to you Coach McWilliams for all you've done for the University.And also a big thanks to the wives and family both of Coaches Royal and McWilliams. Hook'em

 

[Not that Bob]

I am taking this one ttt because my chance to see Coach Royal, and to pass this thread on to him, is coming up soon. I had hoped for more entries. If you have any memories of contacts or other stuff re: DKR or Edith post 'em now. You never know, but I think he would enjoy hearing from Horn Fans.------------------
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here.