Broyles: The Godfather of the Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE — Just before two pm on Monday, August 14th on the hill, the skies were dreary with a sprinkle or two of rain.  The skies matched the mood of the people of the entire state of Arkansas on this day upon hearing of the passing of Frank Broyles, a little gloomy and maybe even shedding a tear or two.

But more than all that, people in our state are grateful.

As he would have said, “an attitude of gratitude.”

Grateful that a man from Georgia wanted to work here more then anywhere else and never gave up on his dream to coach at Arkansas.

Grateful for the only football national championship

Grateful for his vision to see things possible for the Razorback athletic program that we could never have imagined.

Grateful for giving those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s a playbook on how to handle that wretched disease.

I am sad that Frank Broyles passed away at age 92 on Monday.  But I am forever grateful for what he did to the confidence of our state.

When Broyles was hired in 1957, our state was wearing the ugly shame nationally of the Central High school crisis in Little Rock.  Seven years later, we had a different identity:  as National Champions in college football.

Nobody did more and ever will do more for the Razorbacks and their fans then John Franklin Broyles.

And for that, I think we are all grateful.