Remembering Paul Eells (Editorial)

There are certain people you come across in life who seem to carry around with them something a little more special than everyone else — a certain twinkling in their eyes, an unexplainable calmness resonating in their voice or an extra jolt of energy in their touch.

Wherever those seemingly celestial traits might come from, Paul Eells had them all.

In fact, anyone who crossed Eells’ path during his nearly three decades of broadcasting in Arkansas would undoubtedly testify to that.

Unlike the typical limited reach of a popular Arkansas politician or businessman, the news of Eells’ death crossed all county lines and hit a weak spot in every Arkansan who had at one time or another seen his face on their television sets or heard his voice echo out of their speakers.

After all, Eells was the man who had channeled the state’s almighty Arkansas Razorbacks into our homes and cars since 1978.

His voice guided the people of this state through the highest of highs and was there to console us when it just wasn’t meant to be. Whether it was a brisk autumn day or the madness of March, Eells would call the Hogs with the same amount of optimism, candor and proficiency his adoring masses grew to expect.

There will be more touchdowns. There will be more overtimes. There will be plenty of field goals and slam dunks and “Oh My” moments to add to Razorbacks lore.

But there will never be another Paul Eells.