Why Some People Never Die, Part I: The Living Legacy of Bo Schembechler
The late Bo Schembechler, legendary head coach of the University of Michigan football team from 1969 to 1989, was also my friend and cherished mentor. After Bo was honored by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation in Pasadena last month, I shared a story about him.
The week before Bo died, he called and asked me to join him in visiting my teammate Rose Bowl quarterback Tom Slade, who was in his final days fighting cancer. It was emotional to see Bo talk to Tom and rub his arm, even though Tom was unresponsive. Tom’s wife, Pam, along with his sister and pastor, were all there.
Pam shared stories about how thoughtful Tom is. “You cannot believe how caring Tom is. I find notes, ‘If you are in here, things must not be going well. I am sorry and thank you.'”
After Pam left, I told Bo he didn’t have to leave notes if it didn’t feel right. With that, Bo looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I am never going to die!”
Eileen Weiser, wife of my teammate Dick Caldorazzo, who was one of Bo’s closest friends, responded to my story by saying, “Bo never did die; did you hear in the stories just told that he continues to have an impact today?”
What enables some leaders to make a lasting impact?
What Does It Mean Never to Die?
When we think of legacy, we often picture a statue, a name on a building, or trophies on a shelf. But those fade over time. What really lasts is the spirit we inspire in others—how we help them see a better version of themselves and motivate them to serve something bigger than themselves.
Bo’s life is a perfect example of this. His legacy lives on not because of his wins but through the lives he touched, the teams he built, and the lessons he taught.
The Power of Stage IV Fulfillment
In the Four Stages of Fulfillment framework we developed at FS/A, the highest level of life fulfillment is in Stage IV – Creating a Better Tomorrow, when we endeavor to make the world a better place because we have lived. The result is a legacy that positively and meaningfully influences the world, bringing more joy, growth, and fulfillment to those affected and the communities they serve.
Those who reach this stage go beyond themselves. They leave footprints of courage, humility, and love that can’t be erased. They become living legacies—still guiding, inspiring, and shaping us long after they’re gone.
A Chance Encounter with Bo
Randy Winograd, a graduate of Michigan and a member of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, shared a story told to him by someone who had met Bo while he was a student.
The young man was walking his dog when it broke loose and tried to befriend Bo, who was also out for a walk. The young man called the dog back, which prompted Bo to say, “You sure have that dog trained, son!” They ended up in a conversation during which he shared he was at war with his father and couldn’t go home. Bo gave him a talking to and challenged him to make things right with his father.
Many years later, the young man ran into Bo after a banquet. Bo recognized him and asked, “How is that big dog of yours?” The not-so-young man said the dog was old and living with his dad, and that he and his dad are business partners today. Bo responded, ‘‘Good man, I am proud of you!’’
The man then shared, “For the past 50 years, I have seriously and consciously tried to live my life, do my business, and raise my family in a way that Bo Schembechler would be proud of me.”
An Invitation
As we launch this three-part series, I invite you to reflect:
- What actions are you taking that could ensure your influence lasts beyond your lifetime?
- Are you living solely for personal success, or for something greater that will last?
In the next two posts, I’ll share some of the moving quotes from the Rose Bowl ceremony that illustrate why Bo’s life continues to have an impact. Together, we’ll explore how we, too, can live in such a way that our presence will be lasting.
Bo was right: Some people never die.