Osborne is happy he didn't trip running onto field

Published Nov. 21, 2012 11:13 a.m. ET

foxsports

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne says he's glad he made it to the other side of the field when he jogged out of the tunnel into Memorial Stadium before the game against Minnesota last weekend.

Coach Bo Pelini asked the Hall of Fame coach to join the team for the Tunnel Walk as part of ''Salute to Tom Osborne Day.'' Osborne is retiring Jan. 1.

The 75-year-old Osborne said Wednesday: ''I was just hoping I made it to the other side without getting run over or tripping.''

Osborne said he didn't feel it was his place to run onto the field, but Pelini insisted.

Osborne said the day was ''overwhelming.'' He said a lot of nice things were said about him - ''that often happens when you die or you retire.''