Paul Finebaum received an emotional call on Thursday from a man who delivered a message from his mother-in-law who recently passed.

“Mike from Texas” called in after Finebaum introduced the back story of how he called in a couple weeks ago to discuss her, and how the funeral was last Saturday, and then Mike explained the rest about how he was given a letter, and he read it on the air.

“To Paul Finebaum:

Howdy Paul, from College Station, also known as heaven. I’m calling to write you and tell you how much you mean to me and my family. You’re a very special man. Your wife is a very lucky woman because you mean so much to America, to your college, to everything that is good in America. You personally, Paul, put me through so many good times. I was going through horrible pain. You mean the world to me. I’m looking down right now with a big smile looking at you.

I have a small surprise for you, Paul. It’s not going to help anything big. But I want to donate $2,500 to the Tennessee Journalism Department, University of Tennessee, in memory of you, Paul. Because without you, I wouldn’t have been able to get through everything I did. I’ve prayed every night for you, I’ve prayed for your family. I prayed that God would give me the strength and allow me to listen to you. Just give me some comfort and try to pass on good things to your listeners, to you. And let you really know how much you mean. You’re a very special man, Paul. Too bad you didn’t go to a real college, which is in College Station. But that’s OK. Because we weren’t part of the SEC back then. We weren’t a big university back then and it is what it is. But I just really want you to know, Paul, how much you have helped me with everything I went through. You lightened my son-in-law’s days, you lightened my husband’s days, you lightened millions of people’s days. … ”

She went on to recall the day she met Finebaum she was sick and in horrible pain, and didn’t go to the football game, but still gave Finebaum a hug.

“I’m in a better place,” she wrote. “I’m holding a seat for you in Second College Station and hopefully it won’t be anytime soon, because you have so many more people to affect. God bless you, Paul. God bless everything you do. You’re an amazing man, and I can’t wait to see you again at the Pearly Gates. Gig ‘Em Aggies. God bless, Tennessee because of Paul Finebaum and Smokey is not as cool as Reveille, unfortunately. Sincerely, Lee Ann Trammel.”

Mike explained that she wrote it on Dec. 31, 2021.