Jon L. Christensen: “last Friday, Nebraska lost one of its finest. Former University of Nebraska football coach and athletic director Bob…”

“last Friday, Nebraska lost one of its finest. Former University of Nebraska football coach and athletic director Bob Devaney passed away, but not before leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten in the Cornhusker State and in the rank and file of college football. Anyone familiar with college football knows the outstanding accomplishments that Coach Devaney achieved. He took an average college football program and led the Cornhuskers to back-to-back national titles in 1970 and 1971. Bob Devaney not only ushered in a new era of college football, he brought Nebraskans together and gave our great State a team and an institution to be proud of. Most of all, Coach Devaney put life in perspective. In 1965, Devaney told fans before a game that there are 800 million people in China who could care less if Nebraska won or lost because there are bigger things in life than whether your team wins or loses. Coach Devaney taught sportsmanship and unity, lessons from which we all can learn. So, Mr. Speaker, as Coach Bob Devaney is laid to rest this afternoon, I think that I can speak for all Nebraskans and all college football fans across this country alike when I say, "Coach, thanks for the memories."”