As her son — the former mayor of Miami — answered questions and her grandson — the new football coach of the Hurricanes — posed for pictures, Elisa Diaz soaked in the scene around her.
She wanted to stay at somewhat of a distance, at least for a bit. She knew all too well what would happen if she dared approach her 44-year-old grandson Manny Diaz — UM’s first Cuban-American head football coach — in that incredible, improbable, historic moment.
“I haven’t even gone up to him because if I go give him a kiss right now, I’ll start crying,” Elisa Diaz said.