Fridays with Mac: "Burger Billy Bellows"

A recent Friday afternoon found two fellas nicknamed “Mac” devouring lunch at a casual spot in northwest Denver. William Paul McCartney is known as many things: Hall of Fame football coach at the University of Colorado; founder of Promise Keepers; husband; father; grandfather; great grandfather. But there’s another moniker the Michigander takes great pride in claiming, “I’m known as Burger Billy!”

So true. The 82-year-old, holding his own in a battle with Alzheimer’s, loves a tasty cheeseburger, a few fries and a Diet Coke. As he likes to say, “Take it to the bank and hang your hat on it!” Well, we enjoy taking it to our tummies while reminiscing about the glory years of Golden Buffaloes football.

This particular day we focused on the 1989 season. Perhaps the most dramatic and emotional time in Colorado football history. As the “Buff Guy” for KCNC-TV in Denver, then the “Home of the Buffs,” I had a front-row seat, traveling on the team plane and, basically, embedded in McCartney’s emerging powerhouse program. Memories I’ll never forget and feel blessed, considering Coach Mac’s cognitive challenges, to share in detail when we’re together reminiscing.

Between bites of burgers, in chronological order, we marinated on some of the highlights. Opening game against Texas in Boulder, sophomore quarterback Darian Hagan announced to the college football world his arrival as a special talent with a spectacular run early in the game that set the tone for the Buffs shellacking of the Longhorns.

Less than three weeks later, sadness and tragedy enveloped this team as it said goodbye to senior quarterback Sal Aunese. The Californian was supposed to be the Buffs leader for the 1989 season, with Hagan as understudy, but the 21-year-old died far too soon of complications from stomach cancer.

A week after an emotional memorial service in Aunese’s honor, the Buffs ventured to Seattle, Washington to battle with the nationally-ranked Huskies before a raucous crowd at Husky Stadium. Hostile territory. I’ll never forget before kickoff the stadium’s public address announcer asked fans to rise for a moment of silence in Aunese’s honor. As soon as the crowd rose, the Buffs players, coaches and staff dropped to one knee and pointed skyward. More than three decades later, it still gives me chills. It was electric. There was a light mist falling from the sky that day. Tears from heaven descending upon a football team determined to make their teammate proud. Mission accomplished. The Buffs destroyed Washington 45-28.

McCartney had woofed down the Whopper, was leaning back and smiling ear to ear. “You’re bringing back wonderful memories.” No problem buddy, it is truly my pleasure.

I moved on to a game later in the season. The Buffs, now ranked third nationally, took a 7-0 record on the road to tangle with the University of Oklahoma. Colorado had not won in Norman in 25 years. I’m sitting on the team plane in Denver waiting for the Buff contingent to arrive from Boulder, board the plane and fly into Oklahoma. The plane began to lurch as the beefy Buffaloes boarded from the rear stairway. I turned and noticed every player, coach and staff member wore a black shirt. In big and bold gold letters was pronounced, “THINGS HAVE CHANGED!” Indeed they had. Colorado dominated Oklahoma 20-3, beat Nebraska in Boulder the next week and took an undefeated record into the Orange Bowl before losing to Notre Dame for the national championship.

What a season, known as “One Heart Beat” in Aunese’s honor. McCartney was in full blown memory mode while pronouncing, “Those were special guys.”

Suddenly the conversation shifted to the present. Coach Mac’s first meeting with new CU head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. “He’s a special guy too. I think he has what it takes to bring the magic back.”

If Coach Prime comes even close to what the ’89 team accomplished, beleaguered Buff fans, the future holds much promise. Burger Billy bellowed, “Take it to the bank and hang your hat on it!"