Equipment managers in football when dealing with 18-21 year old kids have to be the "no men" There is nothing more enticing to young man than FREE stuff...t-shirts, shoes, and socks. You see, our job as players was to get as much glom as we could and Glen's job was to say no. Glen Abbott just "got it" he knew how to handle a player without shouting or making the kid feel bad. He knew that most of the guys he was dealing didn't have "a pot to piss in" and somehow when you least expected it you would find an extra shirt or socks in your locker.

 

I remember in a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at home I blocked back on Big D-tackle Mark Bortz. We hit each other so hard my facemask just snapped off my helmet. It was early in the game and as I made my way off the field with my facemask in my hand...the coaches were yelling for Glen to fix the mask. Glen without saying a word took my helmet and went to another guy on the team asked for his helmet and gave it to me. I didn't know we had two guys on the team with buckets heads. I missed just one play and was good to go. It was like a NASCAR tire change, Glen had that portable electric drill buzzing, zip, zip zip zip and the helmet was done. He knew his stuff.

 

 

When my playing days were over at the Big Red, I got to know Glen Abbott better. We shared a few stories over a few beers and I liked this guy even more. When I became involved with raising money for cystic fibrosis Glen was always there for me, getting a jersey or football signed for me by Nebraska's current star.

 

 

Glen Abbott died on April 8th, at the age of 62. Goodbye to a good friend and a Nebraska Football Quiet Giant.