It is with tremendous sadness that I report this morning that one of the all-time Texas Longhorns Internet posters passed away this weekend in Austin.
Brad Calhoun... aka "TEX (AUS)"... was one of the original message board OGs in the late 90s and was one of the first members of Orangebloods when it opened back in 2001. In all my years of covering recruiting, I'm not sure that I have ever known anyone that loved recruiting more than Brad. I can't tell you how many times we got together at Aussies Grill and Beach Bar to talk about recruiting, while also playing $5 worth of soul tormenting music on the juke box, much to the chagrin of the bartenders there.
(Note: Nothing can clear out a bar at midnight quite like playing Boz Scaggs' "Love, Look What You've Done To Me" from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack.)
For complicated reasons, Brad and I hadn't spoken for more than a decade, and I've been tormented all week long by the realization that we never got over the issues that led to our friendship splitting up. The truth of the matter is that I love Brad like a brother and always will. Although he was hated by Aggies, the truth of the matter is that he had a kind soul and was a good person that always looked to help others if he could.
In honor of Brad, I've tried reaching out to a few other friends this week that I've grown apart from in an effort of rebuilding those bridges. I'm hoping that this moment will lead to me being able to reunite with people that I've lost connections with.
Pick up the phone and call someone today that you've lost touch with and tell them that you love them. Don't let the petty stuff win the day.
Rest in peace, Brad. My life wouldn't be the same without your impact on it in so many ways.
Brad Calhoun... aka "TEX (AUS)"... was one of the original message board OGs in the late 90s and was one of the first members of Orangebloods when it opened back in 2001. In all my years of covering recruiting, I'm not sure that I have ever known anyone that loved recruiting more than Brad. I can't tell you how many times we got together at Aussies Grill and Beach Bar to talk about recruiting, while also playing $5 worth of soul tormenting music on the juke box, much to the chagrin of the bartenders there.
(Note: Nothing can clear out a bar at midnight quite like playing Boz Scaggs' "Love, Look What You've Done To Me" from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack.)
For complicated reasons, Brad and I hadn't spoken for more than a decade, and I've been tormented all week long by the realization that we never got over the issues that led to our friendship splitting up. The truth of the matter is that I love Brad like a brother and always will. Although he was hated by Aggies, the truth of the matter is that he had a kind soul and was a good person that always looked to help others if he could.
In honor of Brad, I've tried reaching out to a few other friends this week that I've grown apart from in an effort of rebuilding those bridges. I'm hoping that this moment will lead to me being able to reunite with people that I've lost connections with.
Pick up the phone and call someone today that you've lost touch with and tell them that you love them. Don't let the petty stuff win the day.
Rest in peace, Brad. My life wouldn't be the same without your impact on it in so many ways.
