Glenn Presnell's great career was only overshadowed by being a great man.

Presnell, the former Nebraska All-American who went on to star for the Ironton Tanks and Detroit Lions, died at the age of 99 Monday.

He was the oldest living former NFL player.

Former players were saddened by Presnell's death and remembered him more for the man he was than the player or coach.

Carl White, former Ironton High School football coach, played for Presnell at Eastern Kentucky and said he was loved and respected.

"Press was just a wonderful man. He was someone anyone would want to emulate. He is someone I've always admired," White said.

"I'm sure he was revered by every player there. He was a good man and he was like that all the time. It wasn't just something he did in front of people. He was a great man no matter what he did. And his wife Mary is a wonderful person, too."

Roy Kidd won 300 games as the head coach at Eastern Kentucky and is hailed as the school's most famous graduate. He said Presnell had a great impact on his life.

"He was a great person, not only a good football coach. He was awful good to me when I was an assistant coach and when they made me the head coach and athletic director. He was always there to help me whatever I needed," Kidd said.

"I've never had a man in my life treat me any nicer than Coach Presnell. He's the reason I came to Eastern."

During Kidd's playing career at Eastern Tom Samuels was head coach at Eastern and Presnell was the backfield coach and also ran the offense. Kidd said it was Presnell who helped him become an All-America quarterback in 1953.

"I was always a right halfback. I had never played quarterback. Coach taught me to play quarterback. He was good to me. He was very patient with me," Kidd said.

Still needing some hours to graduate, Kidd said Presnell helped him to get a fifth year scholarship in order to complete his degree. He said it was Presnell who helped get him started in coaching and gave him his philosophies and foundation for more than 40 years in the business.

"I owe a lot to Coach. He made me a better person, he made me a better coach," Kidd said. "When I started coaching at Madison High School, I went to see coach every day. I knew nothing about defense. He always had time for me."