Eastaboga, AL - A long line of people wrapped around Eastaboga Baptist Church as thousands from across central Alabama gathered to remember the life of Lincoln High School's late football coach.


Paying respect to a beloved coach, a father figure and a mentor, more than 2,000 people attended Keith Howard's visitation Monday.Coach Howard died suddenly of a heart attack during Friday night's season opener.Loved ones say Howard was a fathful family man who the lives of many people on and off the football field. They say he set high standards for himself and others. Whether it was a physical goal of getting Lincoln High School it's new football stadium or a spiritual goal of renewing the faith of a troubld teenager.

As expected, Monday's visitation was a day to put rivalries aside. More than 25 high school coaches from several neighboring counties came to pay their respects. Even Auburn's head football coach, Gene Chizik, attended the visitation. Lincoln star, D.J. Howard, is an Auburn commitment.


"He may have wore the black and gold jersey on Friday night but he wore the title of dad and mentor and friend and father and that's what people are seeing and missing right now," says Terry Roller, Lincoln High School principal.


"He's kind of a larger than life figure who did a lot of good things in this community. Needless to say,he will be greatly missed," says Kenny Brewer, former Munford head football coach.


"It's not about coming over here just for the sake of coming over here because that's what you're supposed to do. People that are here are people that Keith Howard personally touched," says Ray Crump, Lincoln HS assistant football coach.

The school is holding a public memorial service for Howard Tuesday at 5p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Stadium.

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