Yesterday Tom Osborne announced he was retiring as the Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska. Tom Osborne is a legend.
Here in Nebraska he has reach the level of sainthood and with good reason. He is a humble Christian man that has lived his life to serve others and glorify both God. He deflects praise the people around him rather than taken it for himself.
Around the country he is widely praised and respected. Anybody that truly knows anything about "T.O." holds him in high esteem.
So last night's newscast was devoted almost entirely to covering his press conference, recapping his career and quoting former players, coaches and others that know TO. To a person they give him high marks. It was a very sappy moment.
While watching all the coverage I said to Sue "I wonder what we will do when he dies. How much coverage will that merit?"
I meant no disrespect to "Coach." As you can tell I think he is a wonderful man. But our society typically waits for people to die before we heap on this much praise.
I was glad to see the public praise coming at a time when the person was still around to hear it for himself. By all accounts Dr. Tom is a humble man and doesn't bask in the glow public praise but surely he is better off for having been so wildly praised while he is still alive.
Made me wonder if the same wasn't true of my wife, kids, mother, father, brother, sisters, co-workers, friends and neighbors. I am sure it does. I doubt it would hurt if I gave out more compliments right in front of them. My guess even relative strangers like a waiter, store clerk or the postman wouldn't mind a kind word.
