Broncos' Gary Kubiak opens up on the passing of legendary sportscaster Bob Allen

“Isn’t that what it’s all about when it’s said and done,” Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak asked on Friday afternoon. “How much do you influence people and influence things?”

It’s been an emotional week for the people of Houston, as legendary sportscaster Bob Allen—a man who influenced many people and many things—passed away Thursday at the age of 70. Allen had been battling T-cell Lymphoma since the summer of 2015.

A Houston native, just like Kubiak, Allen became an icon in the eyes of Houstonians, putting together a career of more than 40 years on their television sets.

“It’s really tough. I’m sure a lot of you guys know him,” Kubiak said Friday. “One of the things in this business—if you’re around for a while or you’re in sports—you make relationships with people. Some of you guys I’ve known for forever and obviously I knew Bob since I was a 16-year-old kid in high school. He interviewed me, came to my house.”

“He’s a legend down there, a great person,” Kubiak added earnestly. “I know he really struggled the last year and a half. I spoke with him a few weeks ago. A great man, he will be dearly missed.”

Allen did what so many aim to do in the industry, he built relationships—with the people he knew in reality and the people who simply welcomed him into their living rooms every night. He affected his audience by telling the stories of others. He was known, he won’t be forgotten and his impact goes deeper than anything he did on a television set.

“He affected a lot of people and did a lot of great things,” Kubiak explained, talking specifically of Allen’s involvement with the Special Olympics and the “Sunshine Kids,” an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with the same nasty disease that eventually took his life.

“I sit there and think about all of the things he did in Houston as well as his job. Really, isn’t that what it’s all about when it’s all said and done? We’re all working, but how much do you influence people and influence things? He had a great influence there in Houston.

“I hate to see him go,” Kubiak concluded. We’ll miss him.”