My sweet wife passed away three weeks ago and tonight I decided to start cleaning out some drawers in our bedroom. That's when I found it and could not believe it. Before I reveal what it was, let me share the backstory.
I traveled to Knoxville in the spring of 1993 to interview the late, great Lindsey Nelson. The occasion was the dedication of the baseball team's new stadium named in his honor. I will never forget meeting and interviewing Lindsey underneath the stadium about 30 minutes before pre-game festivities marking the occasion. He was warm, gracious and answered every question. I got his attention when I told him I was not a regular reporter for such things. In fact I was not a reporter, but editor of his hometown newspaper, The Columbia Daily Herald. He was delighted and not only did I leave with a great story, but also an autographed picture.
Two years later Lindsey passed away. After a Knoxville memorial service his remains were returned to his hometown of Columbia, Tennessee. I attended the graveside service and that is where I met the iconic Haywood Harris and Bob Davis, who graciously asked me to sit with them. I would later lead a successful effort to name the football stadium at Columbia High School in Lindsey's name as well.
But the story does not end there. After I interviewed Lindsey at the stadium dedication that day in 1993, I walked up toward the press box. I ran into one of the all-time greats in Tennessee football lore. I could not resist introducing myself and grabbed a small, square piece of paper and ink pen and asked for an autograph. Tonight, while cleaning out a drawer I found a folded piece of paper.There was nothing on one side, but on the other was written, "W.J. Julian."
I traveled to Knoxville in the spring of 1993 to interview the late, great Lindsey Nelson. The occasion was the dedication of the baseball team's new stadium named in his honor. I will never forget meeting and interviewing Lindsey underneath the stadium about 30 minutes before pre-game festivities marking the occasion. He was warm, gracious and answered every question. I got his attention when I told him I was not a regular reporter for such things. In fact I was not a reporter, but editor of his hometown newspaper, The Columbia Daily Herald. He was delighted and not only did I leave with a great story, but also an autographed picture.
Two years later Lindsey passed away. After a Knoxville memorial service his remains were returned to his hometown of Columbia, Tennessee. I attended the graveside service and that is where I met the iconic Haywood Harris and Bob Davis, who graciously asked me to sit with them. I would later lead a successful effort to name the football stadium at Columbia High School in Lindsey's name as well.
But the story does not end there. After I interviewed Lindsey at the stadium dedication that day in 1993, I walked up toward the press box. I ran into one of the all-time greats in Tennessee football lore. I could not resist introducing myself and grabbed a small, square piece of paper and ink pen and asked for an autograph. Tonight, while cleaning out a drawer I found a folded piece of paper.There was nothing on one side, but on the other was written, "W.J. Julian."
