Seller Story: Frank Callahan–Jacksonville, FL

“My dad was an engineer by trade, working as a submariner in World War II after graduating from Iowa State where he met my mom. In Miami, he was well-known for being a great businessman and very much involved in civic leadership. So when the time came for Joe Robbie to recruit investors and partners for the NFL team he founded and owned, he sought out my dad, Frank Callahan.

My father was one of the original five partners for the Miami Dolphins team franchise, so I grew up around football. At thirteen years old, I would travel with the team when they had away games and sit next to the defensive line coach, Les Bingaman, on the team plane. He’d get his two beers, sit them down on his tray, and talk to me the whole way about the glory days when he played with the Detroit Lions. It was a fun way to grow up. I got to know Bob Griese, Howard Twilly, Nick Buoniconti, and all the different players and their wives. We were like a big family. Julie Twilly–I’d stay with her when we’d travel for games, and she’d teach me how to cook. She was a great baker! She taught me how to make an apple pie.

On one trip, we went to New England, and I was on crutches because I had cut my toe. Coach Bingaman got a football and had everyone sign it and gave it to me, as a gift for being such a trouper. But you won’t see that football in the sale. That stays with me!” –Donna Byrd, daughter

Where were you when you watched the Dolphins complete their perfect season?

It was my first year in college at Auburn University, so I had to watch the game from the sorority chapter room where the television was. Everyone always knew that Sunday mornings were off-limits because Donna would be watching the Dolphins! It was before cell phones so Dad called as soon as they got back to the hotel. It was exciting! The Dolphins are the only team to go through the whole season undefeated.

Did you get to go to the Super Bowl the following year?

I didn’t make it to the 17-0 Super Bowl but I did make it the following year when we played (and won!) against the Minnesota Vikings. I also attended another monumental game on Christmas Day in 1971, when we played Kansas City and won in double overtime after 82 minutes and 40 seconds of play–pretty cool. That game is still the longest in NFL history!

Who was more of the collector between your parents?

Mom and Dad traveled a lot for leisure, but it was Mother who had the great eye for collecting from around the world. She found unusual and nice things: The pictures from Bali, a the carvings she picked up from Australia. Dad got hooked on boats in the military, and then being in Miami it was a natural fit. One Summer he was in Italy for 3-4 weeks working with Bertram yachts and Mom and I got to hit all the highlights of Europe while he was on business and we all met back up on the French Riviera.