As a child, I first knew Paul Eells as the sports anchor of Little Rock's KATV, which was the one news broadcast my grandparents always saw from their home in El Dorado. I was in awe as a kid, because this was, in my mind, a big time celebrity figure. Little did I know then, that he was even bigger a celebrity in Arkansas then I could've imagined.

The night of July 31, 2006, Eells, coming back from Fayetteville to his home in Little Rock, collapsed at the wheel, crossed the median on Interstate 40, and struck another car outside of Russellville, killing Eells and the driver of the other car, Billie Jo Burton.

"I didn't sleep that night one bit," said Mike Nail, who is entering his 26th year as voice of the basketball Hogs, and serving his first as voice of the football Razorbacks. "I know that if Paul had discovered Ms. Burton had died as well, he would've been devestated."

"Whether you knew him for 28 years, like I did, or for 28 minutes, Paul always made you feel like you were his best friend," said Nail. "Paul cared about you, your family, how your day was. He was the nicest guy I've ever met."

That sentiment, that Eells was the nicest guy anyone had met, was echoed numerous times after his death. Papers hailed his kindness to everyone. Calls poured in on radio shows about how friendly he was. And for millions of Razorback fans, as well as members of the media, losing Paul Eells was like losing a close family friend.

"We lost a great one in Paul Eells," said Jack Cristil, voice of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. "He was a great broadcaster, and he was really a class guy. He never said a bad word about anybody, ever."

"Not only did Paul never say a bad word about anyone," Nail said, "No one ever said a bad word about him. Paul was a real people person. He loved people, and the people loved him just as much."

Eells was known so fondly for what a great person he was, that many forget to mention his mark in the sports world. The three longest games in college football history (two 7 OT wins and a 6 OT loss) were are called by Eells. His famous call of "Touchdown, Arkansas! Ohhhhh My!" became part of Razorback lore. Fans loved Eells calling the games so much, many would mute the TV whenever Arkansas was on, and turn the radio to listen to Eells call the game.

Those words... that call of "Touchdown, Arkansas!" is so famous, so special, that for Nail, he won't say it over the air.

"I just decided to say the player's name after 'Touchdown," Nail said. "Those words, Touchdown Arkansas, that's hallowed words. I think about Paul every time I enter that press box, and how I think it's such hallowed ground. And I think about his family, his wife Vicki and son Brandon, and how tough football Saturdays must be for them."

There were so many memorable moments....the 2000 Cotton Bowl, where he called the first game of the new millenium, a 27-6 win over hated Texas, and then the "Ambush in Austin," where the "TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS" call felt even sweeter for Eells in a 38-28 win.

There was the '99 win over Tennessee...which was Paul's favorite game of all time to call...

"Paul came here from Vanderbilt, and Tennessee always beat Vandy," said Nail. "Plus, we had that heartbreaking loss to Tennessee the year before. Arkansas winning that game....that really meant a lot to Paul."

There was the first seven overtime win over Ole Miss, when I had no ESPN2 on my cable (poor college student days), and had only Paul's voice to guide me, and how the whole town erupted when Paul exclaimed "ARKANSAS WINS! ARKANSAS WINS IT!"

And then, there was the Miracle on Markham...the pass from Matt Jones to DeCori Birmingham that won Arkansas the SEC Western Division title. Even to this day, I go to the ARSN website and listen to Paul shout "IT IS...COMPLETE!!! TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS!"...followed by the extra point.. "IT IS.. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!"

Tonight, as I left the stadium, I thought about Paul Eells...and how he would've felt after such a big win. I thought abuot how he'd be as excited as a kid on Christmas, and how he would've exclaimed "OHHHHHHH MY!" after Jeremy Davis made the game-winning extra point. I even said it myself after the kick, and I know I wasn't the only one.

Even in his death, Paul gave all of us hope. It's the hope that his enthusiasm of the Razorbacks, his spirit, and his never-ending kindness spreads forth to everyone that he touched, be it in person, or through the radio waves. It's the hope that his optimism carries through, and that more people will follow his lead, making a special place like Arkansas even greater.

Tonight, I think Paul Eells is smiling from above. I think he enjoyed watching the game today, and I believe that "OHHH MY!" and "IT'S GOOOOOD!" were heard through the heavens, pleasing the multitudes of Razorback fans there who were listening to his every word.

And that thought makes this Arkansas win that much sweeter.