Don Shula, the all-time winningest coach in NFL history, passed away Monday morning at age 90.
I had only one personal interaction with the great coach. It took place on August 30, 2003, at Birmingham's Legion Field. Shula was there to watch his son in his head coaching debut for the Crimson Tide.
As I made my way from the press box to field level an hour or so before kickoff, I saw a commotion on the concourse. As I approached I could see that the crowd had formed because Don Shula had arrived. A woman who had happened up on the ruckus like I had asked her husband who the famous person was. The man replied, "That's Coach Shula's father."
I'm sure that the greatest coach in NFL history would not have been offended to be introduced that way on such a big day for his son.
When will tell more stories and pay our respects to Don Shula on Tuesday's Randy Kennedy Show at 9 a.m. when we're joined by Dolphins great Bob Baumhower.