James, a defensive end lettering from 1968-70, both told of Broyles' impact.

" Coach Broyles made sure everything good that could happen to a football player, happened to me at the University of Arkansas, " Brand said.

Including, Brand said, scout-teamers in practice so tough they made the games seem easy.

" I don't know where they found those animals, " Brand said. " I'd go out on Saturday and grade 99 and then go out Tuesday and Wednesday and get whipped on the practice field. "

Growing up in SEC country on the Gulf Coast in Moss Point, Miss., and recruited by all the SEC powers with legends at the helm like Bear Bryant and Shug Jordan at Alabama and Auburn and Johnny Vaught at Ole Miss, James said he took the Arkansas Southwest Conference visit as a lark with no intentions to sign.

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Then he met Frank.

" He was the first coach that talked to me about education, about getting a degree, " James said. " None of those other coaches did. "

Broyles flew to Moss Point on Christmas Eve to get James committed to a SWC letter of intent. Broyles then convinced James that Broyles would not take the then-unheard of $ 1 million, 10-year offer to coach Georgia Tech, Frank's alma mater.

" He said'Bruce, a million dollars and a 10-year contract is not enough to get me to leave the University of Arkansas. I promise you the last day I coach football will be at the University of Arkansas, '" James recalled.

James paused, " Thank you, Coach, for being that honest. "

El Dorado-born Brasher, a linebacker for Broyles and the late Wilson Matthews lettering from 1961-63, coached for decades in the NFL until recent retirement.

" I want to thank Coach Broyles, because it was from my time here I learned the intensity that took me through 41 years of coaching, " Brasher said.

The late Steed White, whose college career was interrupted fighting World War II battles in North Africa and Europe, played for John Barnhill's 1946 and'47 SWC and Dixie Bowl championship teams then was either Razorback line coach or recruiting coordinator from 1957-67.

" Dad had that quality all great coaches have, " said Bob White, a Fayetteville attorney, former Razorback kicker and son of Steed. " He could make you believe you were better than you were. "

He apparently bettered a bunch.

" There are 160 inductees in the Hall of Honor that Steed White either played with, coached with or coached, " Bob White said. " On behalf of Dad and the family, thanks to all the lettermen who brought him back home. "

ROGERS - The video highlighting why George " Fireball" McKinney was among nine former University of Arkansas athletes inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Honor had just ceased when McKinney addressed the Hall of Honor banquet Friday night at the John Q. Hammons Center.

" My name is George " Fireball" McKinney, " McKinney said, " and I approved that message. "

It brought down the house.

The Texarkana, Texas native and former quarterback-defensive back for Frank Broyles' 1959-61 Southwest Conference championship Razorbacks didn't stop with that Election Year one-liner.

He then explained " Fireball" and its link to the late Orville Henry, still fabled as the sports editor of the late Arkansas Gazette.

" Fireball, " McK inney mused, " Orville Henry tagged me with that 50 years ago and 50 pounds ago. If he were here today it would be more like'Butterball' McKinney. "

Then McKinney honored the man who made it possible for all nine to be honored. He cited Frank Broyles, the now-retired former Razorback football coach (1958-76 and athletics director, 1973-2007 and now athletics director emeritus.

Of the nine honorees, Tommy Brasher, Rodney Brand, Bruce James, the late Steed White and McKinney in football, either played or coached with Broyles. As for Razorback Daniel Lincoln and Lady Razorback Gi-Gi Miller Johnson in track, Darrell Walker in basketball and Ryan Lundquist in baseball, all starred at the UA after athletics director Broyles cultivated a nationally renowned all-sports program.

For putting it all in place, Broyles, the first member of the UA's first Hall of Honor in 1988, on Friday night received the Hall of Honor's Distinguished Service Award.

Broyles didn't talk winning as a coach nor fundraising as an AD in his brief acceptance speech Friday. He talked relationships - 50 years of Razorback relationships.

" The most important thing of my career is the long-lasting relationships I was able to build with the Razorback spirit and Razorback opportunity, " Broyles said. " I am speaking of the former players, I am speaking of the coaches, I am speaking of the press and I am speaking of the fans.

" These long-lasting relationships are so personal to me. And I am so proud of them. It's a wonderful blessing that I will cherish all of my life. "

They remain the blessings sustaining the Razorbacks today.

All-Americans Brand, a Newport native and center lettering from 1967-69, and