It was a clear, cool, Boulder day. The game against Iowa State was winding down in the late fall sky. The sun already slipping behind the Flat Irons to cast that long golden glow in the western sky. Rashaan had just past the 2000 yard mark assuring his reception of the Heisman trophy. History was made that day. But, as it were, history was not quite finished.

As a sideline photographer we were allowed into the Bench area as the clock wound down. Many of us were clamoring around Salaam trying to catch a real moment on film of him celebrating with his team mates. For them and for Raashan It would be their final curtain call in Boulder and they were excited indeed. During the frenzy coach Simmons turned to me and a friend and said. "Hey! Get a picture of Coach Mac." Mac had his back to us. He peered over his shoulder glancing dismissively our way briefly and then turned back to the game.

None of us knew that following the game he would call a press confrence and announce that for the sake of his family, love of his wife, and depth of his faith, he would retire from coaching football. To me, Coach Mac spoke mostly in a mono tone and rarely got excited. As I knew him only professionaly it was only when he spoke of God or sometimes of football, that he truly got excited. I knew then and there that he was giving up something he had great passion for. My respect for him grew immensely that day.

However cluttered and ill composed it might have been I guess I should have taken that picture.