"On his recruiting visit, he promised my mother and I that he would be the father that I never had and he would let nothing In this world ever keep me from being the student and champion that I am today… he would never let me go back to where I was yesterday!

I believe him, Wow he was so right! Coach Jack "Cy" McClairen was God's awesome gift to me!

"He was my mentor. I'll never forget the day he and Tank Johnson came to recruit me at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. I didn't know at the time I'd be playing for a legend.
 
Playing for Coach Cy prepared me well for my NFL career. A lot of things he did after his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially running a pro offense, helped me become one of the greatest offensive guards in the history of the NFL."

 "Cy was a giant in HBCU athletics. Basketball, football, you name it, he was a mentor, friend and fierce competitor."

This is tough for so many of us because he touched so many lives. Coach Cy welcomed me with open arms the day I got the job here and has blessed our family in a variety of ways. We not only lost a great coach but someone that made this world a better place everyday. https://t.co/KNdPBIfCwd

— Ryan Ridder (@RyanRidder) December 28, 2020

Coach Cy means so much to my family and I. He touched our lives in so many ways beyond athletics and he set the tone for this athletics department to be more about family than anything else. Rest with the Lord, coach. We will miss you immensely. https://t.co/rC1l8k1NmW

— Vanessa Blair (@CoachBlair24) December 28, 2020

I had the honor & privilege to work across the hall from this gentleman and true professional for a number of years. He was, indeed, someone I call a LEGEND. Our talks were genuine, and our friendship was even more. Rest In Peace, Coach Cy. Yooooooooo! https://t.co/LPXGbBiC3M

— Bryan J. Harvey (@SoBeeHarv) December 28, 2020

This one hurts! Coach Cy was one of the first people I was introduced to when I arrived at BCU. Seeing him each day in the office and the love he had for the maroon and gold made me proud to be part of the Wildcat family. A true legend. #RIH https://t.co/oAnRvD7Xig

— Coach B (@CoachB_BCU) December 28, 2020

Cy McClairen, Bethune-Cookman's "greatest ever," dies at 89 Our community has produced its fair share of great athletes, but Jack Cy McClairen may best be described as first among legends. The coach was in a class by himself. https://t.co/Af0LmFg67O

— Mayor Derrick Henry (@doc9hen) December 28, 2020