Bo Schembechler represented University of Michigan football for nearly 4 decades. You might not care at all, but frankly, you can simply stop reading. I live sports, in case you hadn't figured that out, and Michigan Football is one of those that I simply bleed every day.

When I found out that Bo, one of the giants of college football and the man who resurrected a Michigan football program from mediocrity in the 1960s, had died, I was stunned. I have mourned all day. Bo seemed like a grandfather figure to me, even though I had never met him. Fine, think that is weird. But look at what all of the other Michigan/Bo fans are saying over at WDFN's website. And there are about six other websites with this many comments.

If you don't understand, it's fine. But let me assure you that there are a few million people that are mourning right now, mourning for his family, his friends, and the thousands upon thousands of people in college football and the country whose lives Bo has touched.

Examples (I stole these from ESPN.com, I hope they understand):

"Bo Schembechler epitomized what every coach would like to be in his relationships with his players, his development of assistant coaches and the way he was able to motivate his players. His teams always displayed toughness, and proved year in and year out that it is a necessary ingredient in success. Coach Schembechler's teams personified what it meant to play Michigan football, and he personified what it meant to be a coach....

"When people pass away, there's a tendency to go overboard; in this case, it's not -- he was a true great."

- Jim Donnan, former coach, University of Alabama, Marshall

"Bo touched the lives of so many and helped develop countless young men into role models and leaders. He is an icon for college athletics, not just the game of football."

- Eugene Smith, Ohio State athletic director

And in my opinion, the crowning one. When she delivered this statement, she was at the hospital in Southfield, about 10 minutes from my office, clearly in tears and shaken by this sudden event.

"This is a tremendous shock and an irreplaceable loss for the University of Michigan family. Bo Schembechler embodied all that is best about Michigan: loyalty, dedication and the drive for ever-greater excellence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him, a number as great as the Michigan community in every corner of the world.

"This university's deep tradition is our immense pride and our common ground. No one represented Michigan tradition better than Bo. Bo was the icon of Michigan football. But he was connected with this university far beyond athletics. We watched with pride as he received an honorary degree. We watched with gratitude as he extended his considerable talents to the University of Michigan cancer center and so many other worthwhile programs. And even this semester we watched with a smile as he enjoyed becoming a student again in the Ford School of Public Policy.

"Bo had an unmistakable twinkle in his eye, and I will miss that spirit and so much more. I am grateful for this remarkable man and all his contributions that make Michigan Michigan."

- President Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan
Read more of them here.

Let me mention one more anecdote. The Michigan-OSU rivalry is ancient and considered the greatest rivalry in sports by a majority of sports fans across the world.

ESPN's poll results from October 2006:

In tribute to Woody Hayes, the OSU coach with whom Bo had such a rivalry, a OSU undergraduate punk band named itself the "Dead Schembechlers" and dress like Coach Hayes. At a scheduled "Hate Michigan" rally tonight, they planned a big concert. According to reports in the Detroit Free Press, Bo found the group comical and appreciated the reference. On their website today (prior to it being shut down due to bandwidth), the band offered this statement:

"BO SCHEMBECHLER: OSU'S MOST VALIANT FOE: The band is crushed to learn of the death of Bo Schembechler. We named this band after Coach Schembechler to honor him as the face of Wolverine football. We have never wished ill will upon him in any way and have always wished him the best. When we learned that Bo had seen our web site and was amused by it we were delighted. We were simply delighted. He said to those with him as he read it, "See, I still matter in Columbus!" That may have been the greatest understatement in football history. We believe that he took the band's name as the compliment that it was meant as and that he was flattered by it. We wish to extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family. We are truly sorry for their loss."

They also stated that the proceeds from the rally would be given to benefit Bo's family foundation.

Class, truly class.

I miss you Bo.