It is a beautiful part of the world here where the celebration of the life of James David "Buddy" Ryan played out with laughter and stories and love on Friday. The caravan of cars from the airport to this rural town carried a generation of football legends who paid tribute to a man who meant so much to them.
One of the great defensive minds and a larger-than-life personality was again the center of attention from the legions of men who said goodbye to a mentor, to a friend and to a coach who made such a difference in the lives of so many.