Deena Hardin
Magnolia Banner-News
Former University of Arkansas coach/athletic director Frank Broyles died this week, as everyone in the state probably knew within minutes if they were online or watching TV. At the Banner-News, we get emails every few minutes around the clock to keep us updated on breaking news stories, although most of them are from other states and/or other countries — not always helpful when one tries to focus as much as possible on local news.
When news came across my desk that Broyles had died, I was surprised. That should give you a hint as to how little I keep up with sports. Our sports editor, Chris Gilliam, was quick to tell me that Broyles had had a major stroke some months back and had not been doing well since. I didn’t even know that Broyles was 92 years old.
As far as I know, I never met Coach Broyles. If I did, it would have been when I was a toddler and, understandably, I’d have no memory of it. I do, however, have a close personal association with one of his better-known players from the 1960s.
I was told for years that my cousin Janna and I were clad in matching Razorback dresses and coats for one of our uncle’s football games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock when the Hogs were on their way to the national championship, which they clinched (according to most) with their Cotton Bowl win early in 1965. I wish I’d paid more attention to details of that story, because the ones who could fill in the gaps for me are either gone from this world or have lost many memories.
My uncle, Glen Ray Hines — my mother’s “baby brother,” as she always referred to him — was an incredible athlete, first as a Wildcat in El Dorado, performing as both kicker and tackler, and then as a Razorback at U of A. He played and lettered in basketball and football as a Wildcat and planned to continue both sports in Fayetteville. But basketball requires development of different muscle groups, so Coach Broyles told him that he had a decision to make. He made that decision at the end of his first semester of college (I think), and Broyles told my grandmother that she needed to add bulk to Glen Ray’s frame. Music to her ears!
Mamaw was not just a great cook, she practically lived to do it. When Broyles told her to feed Uncle Glen as many potatoes and homemade rolls — and anything else — as he could eat, she took on the mission and carried it out faithfully. If I remember correctly, her food put 19 pounds on him over that Christmas break. Hey, I’m serious when I say she was a great cook. And that big old boy of hers loved to eat.
Coach Broyles was a tough taskmaster with his players from what I was told, but I never heard Uncle Glen say a bad word about him. He was also like a father figure to many of the guys, like their dad away from home. Uncle Glen went so far as to say that Broyles reminded him of Billy Graham in the way that he spoke to and motivated people.
Under Broyles’ coaching, Uncle Glen went on to make the All-American team in 1965. That was a big deal in our family — you know, seeing him trot out on the stage of the Ed Sullivan Show to say his name and school and … did those guys say the names of their hometowns? Seems like someone told me they did.
Uncle Glen went on to play professionally for the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers. After he retired from playing, he tried coaching with the Oilers for a while but then retired from football altogether. Sort of. At home he continued coaching his older son, Glen Jr., who went on to be a star kicker at Rice University and then U of A. I still can’t stop myself from calling my younger cousin Little Glen, which is hilarious. He’s 6 foot 3 and a lawyer in the Marine Corps.
At some point during Uncle Glen’s career, he played in a Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Mamaw and Papaw made the trip to see the game, as did my Uncle Jack and his wife. My mother refused to go because she felt that someone needed to take care of the children left behind if there were a plane crash. I don’t think she was being morose, just practical. My grandparents immensely enjoyed going to Hawaii, which is the reason everyone in the family watched “Hawaii 5-0” from the time it first aired. I like the new version, too.
Sadly, Glen Sr. is showing signs of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). More is coming to light every day about football players — especially those who play professionally — being robbed of their memories and their very identities by that horrible condition, which is brought on by repetitive blows to the head. The only way to diagnose it is by autopsy, as in the cases of Frank Gifford and Ken Stabler.
Sorry, just had to get that in there. So many little boys dream of being professional football players, and they — and their parents — should be aware of the risks down the line. My cousin Glen has been quite outspoken about it in his books, “Document” and “Cloudbreak” (available on amazon.com).
Outside the family, Uncle Glen is shy and dislikes attention, so I’d get a serious whuppin’ from him if anyone told him I published this piece (ssh, it’ll be our secret). I’m glad he was healthy enough in 1994 to be there for the ceremony presenting the life-sized etchings of him and other All-Americans that hang in the athletic complex at U of A in Fayetteville, and in 1996 to show up to be named to the Southwest Conference All-Time Team.
No matter what his condition, I think Uncle Glen will always speak be able to speak fondly of Coach Broyles, and I know he was saddened by the passing of the man he considered to be one of the major influences in his life.
Deena Hardin is the managing editor of the Magnolia Banner-News. She can be reached at [email protected].