In the Spring of 1971, [Alabama Head Coach Paul W.] Bryant flew to Austin to meet with (Texas Head Coach Darrell] Royal. He was so anxious to get started on learning about the wishbone that he arrived for the first session before Royal and his staff. Jones Ramsey, his old friend and drinking buddy from the A&M years, was the first to show up.

"I found him sitting on the steps," Ramsey recalls, "looking like a racehorse chomping at the bit. Most of our staff was just getting out of bed. I said, 'Goodness, Paul, what are you doing up so early?' He said, 'Damn, Jones, don't they take their football seriously around here?' "