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Cawood’s final goodbye

Cawood was not your typical homer. If UK was sucking, lack of effort or just not putting in the effort , he would be the first to call it out.
If UK got a call from the officials, he was quick to point out UK got a break.
He called it like he saw it, period.
He was the best, I’ve only heard recording because I was too small when he was still on to remember. I really miss Mike Pratt, he was the voice of the Wildcats to me. Him and Tom Leach really took the mantle and did a great job.
 
It was the Unforgettables last game as well. I couldn’t get any tickets. Hot tx. Woke up that morning in Lou and listened to a tribute to Cawood. Couldn’t stand it and got my mother to watch my kids and talked my wife into going. Planned to watch the game in the Hyatt and then walk in Rupp to say goodbye to Cawood.

I had listened to him since I was 9 years old. Went to UK because of him. Met my wife there. Big part of my life. Actually influenced it.

Got up there and got one tx outside. Could not find another. Walked to the parking lot across from the Hyatt and an older gentleman was coming in. He said he had a tx. We talked about Cawood as I fumbled around as he said I could have it for what he paid for it..$10. I only had a $20. I said please take the $20 as the tx was worth 100 times that amount to me. He said nope. I paid $10 and wouldn’t ever sell it to a UK fan for more. By then others crowded around him offering $100 plus.

He was from Paintsville and his wife wasn’t able to come. I couldn’t afford $100 plus so I started to walk away and he grabbed my arm and stuck the tx in my hand. Said he knew it meant something to me to go and it was on him. I gave that tx to my wife and when we got in bought him a coke and a couple hot dogs plus his $10.

Never have forgot that Paintsville guy. True blue. Always appreciated his character. Not many built like that fan.

Stayed post game and heard “ The Glory Road”
 
Plenty of games listening to Cawood in the bedroom or in the garage. I think his memorial on the floor is way too small. He called more than just our games. He did the national radio call for the Final 4 and Title game. There will never be another Cawood Ledford.

I Listen to a lot of games on the radio today still and I love Leach and Goose. Goose is a good sidekick because you can feel that he's calling it from a players standpoint. He gets excited and he's into it vicariously.
 
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He was simply the best to do it.

"Robey and Phillips are going to war on the boards tonight Ralph"
 
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He called more than just our games. He did the national radio call for the Final 4 and Title game. There will never be another Cawood Ledford.
He also called the Derby and put a great individual spin on a classic horse racing call. Instead of saying, "and DOWN the stretch they come," he said, "and NOW they come to me."
 
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Coming to you from memorial coliseum in downtown Lexington,ky.
 
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