UA Mourns the Loss of Paul Eells

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The following are statements from Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, UA head football coach Houston Nutt and UA head basketball coach Stan Heath on the late Paul Eells, voice of the Razorbacks.

Eells was killed in a car accident on Monday night near Russellville, Ark. Eells was preparing for his 29th season as the UA football radio play-by-play announcer. He also hosted The Houston Nutt Show and The Stan Heath Show in addition to his duties as sports director at KATV in Little Rock.

UA Athletic Director Frank Broyles

“The Razorback family has lost a tremendous ambassador with the passing of Paul Eells. He was the consummate professional and always represented the state and the Razorbacks with the utmost class. His voice was distinctive and his calls of “Oh My!” and “Touchdown Arkansas” will continue to resonate with Razorback fans everywhere. He was a truly special individual that touched so many of our lives as a broadcaster and a friend. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Vickie and the Eells family as we all grieve the loss of this special member of the Razorback family.”

UA Head Football Coach Houston Nutt

“This is a very sad day. He was a wonderful man. It’s a very sad day for Arkansas fans. I cannot give words to justify (what kind of man he was). Paul Eells, to me, is the ultimate professional, just the perfect person. I have never known anyone who did not like Paul Eells. I don’t think you say on this earth too many times about a person that no one disliked him. He never said a bad word about anyone, never.

“He was the voice. He was the voice that represented the state. He was the voice of the Razorbacks. He had a very defined voice and it was a gift that he had. People related to that and he was invited into everyone’s living rooms and into their families. Because of that voice, there is an immediate connection and a bond. Once they met him, at Razorback Clubs or meetings, they realized he was nicer than they had dreamed of. He was kinder than what they thought. The guy that they saw every night in their living room was talking to them.”