Gotta share this. Seems particularly pertinent after Mack Brown’s (more complete than usual) blackout of Thursday night’s scrimmage.

Summer 1968. Emory Bellard was installing the wishbone option attack after three 6-4 seasons in which the Longhorns ran mostly an I-formation, one-back offense. Darrell Royal wanted to utilize the three good running backs in the program, and UT’s defensive coaches had spent months planning for Houston’s veer option since we were to play the Cougars in our opener. (Read more after the jump.)

Normally, Royal kept practice pretty loose, let reasonably-credentialed personnel watch just about anything. He didn’t mind what we wrote or broadcast. In August ’68, though, Royal was much tighter with security. His sports publicity folks asked reporters not to publicize anything about specific formations or plays. Royal being Royal – you had to see him up close to know the fire he could breathe when provoked – that worked pretty well.

Except that the practice field at the time was open, and was located directly below one of UT’s larger dorms. Thus . . . my brother, who lived on the fifth floor, could diagram for me any formations and plays. He even asked me about something I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about. A Houston-based reporter who had talked to UH sources asked Royal a question and, not getting a good answer, diagrammed on a blackboard what Texas was about to employ and even name the key players.

So much for secrecy.

Mack, drop the damn iron curtain. Tear down that wall. This is sports. It’s part of what our culture calls leisure and entertainment. It ain’t the war plan to take out Bin Laden.

That is all. Hook ‘em.