Darrell Royal had lots of fans.  Not just because he was the winningest coach in Texas Longhorns history, but for being just plain  --  likeable.

Yesterday, some 1400 strong were on hand to honor the football legend.  Mack Brown (current Texas head football coach) and pro golfer Ben Crenshaw spoke at the event, and Willie Nelson eulogized his friend in song.

Coming off a dismal 1-9 record in 1956, Royal quickly turned the program around in his first year at the helm, going 6-3-1.  20 seasons later, he had compiled a scintillating record of 167-45-5, featuring eleven Southwest Conference titles, nailing the Cotton Bowl ten times, and catapulting to National Champs twice ('63 and '69).

Along the way, the name of chicken innards became famous due to Darrell Royal and assistant Emory Ballard, when the positioning of the fullback lined up a couple yards behind the quarterback, and a couple steps in front of two other backs flanked on each side, resembled a wishbone.

Mr. Royal, himself, was a star QB and DB for Oklahoma, being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Although Darrell Royal was battling Alzheimer's, reports says his death was due to cardiovascular disease.  He was 88 years old.

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