Eddie retired at Okie State not long ago, but I still have a little man-love for him- more than just about anyone who ever brought an SEC team into Gvl.  Dale Brown and Wimp Sanderson are up there, too.  You have to like an opponent who can take NBA talent to a third place finish in the conference.

Eddie has my gratitude for leaving Kentucky in the NCAA doghouse.  The story of the Emory AirFreight package- sent from a Ky assistant coach to a recruit- breaking open while being processed and spilling out C-notes is a classic.  But my affection for Eddie goes back to a Gators-Ky game in Gvl in the mid-'80s on a Valentines Saturday afternoon. 

My buddy and I arrived early during pre-game warm-ups and there stood Eddie in front of the Ky bench.  Our seats just behind the bench are a convenient place to express messages of welcome and bonhomie, so we called out how happy we were to have Eddie and the cats in for a game.  It really was something friendly, albeit slightly sarcastic, but Eddie called over a kid in a suit, pointed to us and said something to the kid.

Now, just a few days ago, we arrived for the Tn game to find letters from JFoley on all of the seats in the lower part of Section J, with admonitions to speak sweetly to visitors or be tossed out of the arena.  My bubby and I seldom use words more harsh than jerk and stink and I seldom have heard anything at all worse than that since the place was built, but someone's Aunt Sally felt threatening letters to middleaged Gator fans is a good idea.

That being said, we two innocent boys were overcome with feelings of guilt as the Ky kid headed our way with two white business envelopes in his hand that he passed to us.  Inside each was a little Valentines card- the kind third graders distribute to classmates- signed on the back, "Best Wishes, Eddie Sutton."

The Gators lost that game, but not once that game nor in Sutton's later visits did jerk or stink move from my lips toward Sutton.  Toward refs or his players and assistants, yes, but not at Eddie.  I even had the opportunity the send kind thoughts Eddie's way when I caught a glimpse of him on ESPN highlights.  And most of all, every few years, I come across that little Valentines card in the big white envelope and remember what an idiotic gesture that was, but it worked.  Eddie has a friend in Gvl.