Jim Herrmann's football days are long behind him, way back in his rear view mirror.
It's been a quarter of a century since Herrmann arrived from the Midwest and attended BYU, a place that might as well have been Mars, and met two guys who helped change his life.
But this week Herrmann will revisit his glory days, a time he was part of a trio in a concrete-bonded friendship, a tie that's lasted decades.
Herrmann will be in Canton, Ohio for a special celebration , the induction of one of their rat pack, one of the amigos, Steve Young, into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Young, Hermann and Lee Johnson.
"I can't believe we're this old, that one of us, Steve is getting an honor like this. It seems like just yesterday that we were in college, trying to get dates, playing on Saturdays, with few cares in the world," Herrmann said.
The trio are blood brothers, buddies, companions. They've hung tight through college, through differing NFL careers, through business, through marriages, births of children, funerals, barbecues and now this induction of Young.
Herrmann and Johnson will join more than 550 people on Steve Young's "invited guest" party that includes family, friends, former teammates and coaches. "It will be a reunion of sorts. I'm looking forward to it." Johnson said.
The men share a special relationship. Herrmann confirmed he and Johnson have been private confidants to Young over the years, through all his trails, through all the pressures and expectations. Although Young was the last to marry, Herrmann says there are things they've all shared that are deep secrets, things nobody will ever know — or should.
"We've confided in one another over the years, and it's been just about everything," Herrmann said.
One of the latest discussions centered around whether or not Young should re-sign with ESPN to do TV commentary. Young is devoted to his young family and he is bent on spending as much time as he can with his young blood.
"I told Steve he should do it because it would only involve a couple of travel days a week. We're all businessmen and in our companies we have guys who have to be gone for three or four days some weeks. For Steve, it would be just through the season."
Hermann was caddying for legendary Jack Nicklaus at the Nokia Champion's Challenge earlier this week. He and Nicklaus have struck up a friendship over the past half dozen years at the event that has led to year-around contact and exchange of gifts.
Herrmann is the old home boy of the trio, a straight-forward, genuine nice guy. Johnson is the talker, an outgoing, chatty kind of hyper-personality that redlines himself all the time. Young is the diplomat, the super star, the complex man they all tried to set up for dates half their lives.
They're inseparable. "Steve is a guy who is set in his principles and is honest in his moral convictions about right and wrong," Herrmann said.
When Herrmann came to Provo, he wasn't LDS as he is now. He's always admired Young taking a higher road in life, trying to improve himself ever day.
So, came the question to Herrmann, who seems to have Young's ear, what does he envision Steve Young doing 10 or 15 years from now. People have talked about Young getting into coaching, others have speculated he may be a candidate to run for Congress or the U.S. Senate.
Herrmann doesn't see any of that.
"He'll be coaching Little League, or soccer, or hanging around doing something with his kids. That's all I see Steve doing, it's his priority now. He's a bright guy who cares a lot about what is going on in the world. But his family will win out in it all. Honestly, I don't know what he'll be doing. He could be involved in football, he could own an NFL football team." Herrmann said.
Come this weekend, it will be official. Young will be enshrined in Canton. One of those bronze busts of his face will join the others in the hall for all time.
Herrmann knows his buddy is unique. And, yes, he believes his image belongs in a statue.
"He is really grounded in what he believes and he's been diligent in what he's set out to do, whether football, school or just life.
"That's what stands out about him. He deserves this. He's earned it. There is no question he is one of the best who has ever played the game. A lot of guys would have caved in to what he's been through," Herrmann said.
Canton.
"Whew, I can't believe we're that old," Herrmann said.
E-MAIL: dharmon@desnews.com