Texas honors Royal with memorial service

Texas honors Royal with memorial service

Published Nov. 13, 2012 8:37 a.m. ET

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Former Texas coach Darrell Royal was remembered Tuesday as a humble champion who built a powerhouse football program and a Longhorn brand known around the world.

About 1,200 people attended a memorial service for the coach who led Texas to national championships in 1963 and 1969 and a share of a third in 1970. Royal also revolutionized college football when he introduced the wishbone offense in 1968.

Royal died in Austin on Nov. 7 at the age of 88. He was buried at the Texas State Cemetery in a private service on Monday.

Among those attending the public memorial were former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer and former Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow. Country singer Willie Nelson sang "Healing Hands of Time."

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