I wasn’t expecting to have my heart broken Friday morning, but that’s what happened.

I received word from people who thought I’d want to know that Walt Gary passed. I’d written a story on him last September during The Athletic’s outstanding “People Behind the Program” series. I slumped in my seat and breathed a deep sigh, the kind when it feels like the wind has been knocked out of you.

Full disclosure: I didn’t know Walt Gary that well. I knew him like everyone else in Tuscaloosa who loved him knew him. He was the smiling face I saw at the University of Alabama bookstore when I was a student, around campus and especially at Crimson Tide sporting events. He was impossible to miss. How could you not be taken with that smile?

The 36-year-old with Down syndrome passed Thursday. The cause of death is unimportant and can be provided by the family if they so choose to release it. What matters to me is how Walt lived his life. And man did he live a life worth emulating. Every time I think of him I’m a little ashamed of myself. I’m not much different than you probably. I take for granted what I have. I want more. It seems I’m never content. That’s no way to live life, and I was reminded of that every time I spoke with Walt or his wonderful mother Betsy. Life has a way of putting things into perspective for you real quick.

So it was Friday morning as I came to grips with the news. Word spread quickly throughout Tuscaloosa and across social media. People who never met Walt were devastated. My Twitter timeline was a living memorial to him. Former co-workers shared their experiences with him. Former football players talked about those Thursdays during the season when he waited for them and shared his game predictions with them. Seriously, they all had an experience with Walt. They loved him. Greg Byrne, Alabama’s director of athletics, tweeted his condolences to the family. Nick Saban released a statement.

“Walt Gary was a special part of the Alabama football program and our hearts are broken by the news of his passing,” he said. “He was beloved by everyone on our team, in our athletic department and throughout the Alabama family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Walt’s family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved Walt as much as we did. The Thursday night radio show won’t be the same without hearing his game prediction and seeing his infectious personality. Walt will be truly missed.”

Imagine leaving such an impact on one of the greatest football programs of all time just by sheer force of your personality and spirit, your laugh and your heart. That’s what I’ll miss the most. He had open-heart surgery four times, but that heart, it was as good as they come. I hope to live my life with half the joy he shared with the world.

He was famous for saying he didn’t have Down syndrome, but that he had “Up syndrome.” What a perspective.

I remember interviewing one of Walt’s favorite players last season for the story I wrote about him. Damien Harris could do no wrong in Walt’s eyes. It was after a game early in the season, and Harris had just concluded his media obligations upstairs in Bryant-Denny Stadium. As he exited the room, tired from the game and anxious to get on with the life of a college student on a Saturday night, I pulled him aside in the hallway and asked if I could ask him a couple of questions. Harris kind of took a deep sigh and reluctantly said, “Sure.” A moment later when I asked my first question and he realized the story was about Walt, his entire demeanor changed. His shoulders relaxed, his face lifted and he smiled. That’s what the mere mention of Walt’s name could do. That’s the impact he had on football players he saw just once a week for minutes and sometimes seconds at a time.

The tributes poured in on social media from so many of them Friday. Too many to name. They wanted the world to know how much they’d been touched by his spirit.

Walt unapologetically loved Alabama. He made no bones about his feelings on a certain football coach who hightailed it out of town when things got tough. He was a Crimson Tide fan. Many of his predictions were blowouts. He believed in his team so much that not even a single doubt crept in, no matter the opponent. No one loved that athletic department more than him. It loved him back too.

Antoine Pettway is an assistant basketball coach for Alabama, but before that, he was a star point guard. His relationship with Walt started during his undergrad days. They developed a friendship that spanned more than 20 years. They swam together. They went to the mall together. They ate pizza together. And they laughed together. A lot.

That story isn’t unique around Tuscaloosa. Many have similar ones. Walt Gary, like John Mark Stallings before him, touched this community in ways that are hard to measure. They educated us about Down syndrome. They taught us that our preconceived notions were wrong. They taught us to be better people.

I texted Betsy on Friday morning. I knew there was little chance she’d respond right away. She has much larger things to deal with after losing her son. But I wanted to thank her. To thank her for sharing Walt with all of us. To thank her for sharing his and her story with me. Because in some ways, Walt was all of ours. That was the beauty of Walt. He never met a stranger.

Walt said he always prayed to be the best person he could be, to have the best attitude he could have so that he could be the best worker he could be. Rest easy, Walt, your work here is done. And we’re all the better for it.

Incredibly saddened by the news of the passing of our friend Walt Gary. Nobody loved the Alabama football team more than he did. His spirit will forever live on through the program! Seeing him before every game was nothing but motivation! Love and prayers to his entire family❤️ pic.twitter.com/rSRETuL1nm — Damien Harris (@DHx34) June 7, 2019

Along with his thrilling predictions, Walt always brought joy, energy and love to the room. He was a blessing to many and exemplified what a HERO stood for. You will be missed Brotha ❤️. #LLWG pic.twitter.com/OrJmmhwNjZ — Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) June 7, 2019

Heartbroken by the passing of our good buddy Walt Gary! It was always a great joy seeing him every Thursday! Walt was a light in this world, always made you smile and was truly Alabama’s biggest fan. Praying for his sweet mother Betsy and their family! You will be missed Walt! 💔 pic.twitter.com/rNw9YtEh8d — Christian Miller (@christianmillr) June 7, 2019

(Photo courtesy the Gary family)