DAPHNE, Ala. — Paul Finebaum at the United Way of Baldwin County’s campaign kick-off luncheon Thursday spoke to an audience about the impact his mother had on his life.

After Finebaum predicted that Alabama would defeat Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl match-up, he spoke about some of the moments in his career as a radio sports personality and sports writer, and he mentioned the atmosphere surrounding Alabama after the Crimson Tide took home the National Championship in January and how it brought the community together.

“Nothing else mattered in this state; race didn’t matter; politics didn’t matter. The only color that mattered in Alabama was crimson,” Finebaum said. “I think about that day and I think about this organization and the great work that is being done here.”

Then, he began talking about his mother’s impact on his life, and how he feels she would be proud of him for supporting a cause and speaking at the United Way event.

He told a story about writing a Mother’s Day column, putting into words the effect his mother had throughout his career and life, but when he got to the end of the story he could not find a way to end it. However, he said he found a picture that he and his wife brought back from Birmingham after his mother died. The picture had a saying beneath it that read, “It is a wonderful thing, a mother. Other folks can love you, but only your mother understands. She works for you, looks after you, loves you, forgives you for anything you may do, understands you, and then the only thing bad she ever does to you is to die and leave you.

“Earlier today when we landed, looking out at that magnificent bay, I thought about my mother and how proud she would’ve been of her son that I was here today; that I was here doing something constructive, doing something that would help people,” he said. “And that’s why we’re all here. We’re not here at the end of the day to hear football predictions. We’re here to try to help those who are less fortunate and those who are in dire need.

“I can only say that you’ve warmed my heart, and somewhere my mother is looking down and she may actually be smiling and saying, ‘Nice job.’”

Roger Schultz, an All American offensive lineman for the University of Alabama who played from 1987-1990, introduced Finebaum to the audience.

(Staff video by Devin R. Golden; edited by Thomas Boni)

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