41 Years Ago Today - Coach Bryant passed

[TexasBama]

I'll never forget that day.

 

[22Musso22]

 

[JDCrimson]

I will appreciate Saban for what he has done for us. But it will always be Bryant as top dog for me. Bryant was more life applicable drawing on the gravel in your gut. Saban was so committed to rote process of excellence, it was more machine.

 

[TexasBama]

I will appreciate Saban for what he has done for us. But it will always be Bryant as top dog for me. Bryant was more life applicable drawing on the gravel in your gut. Saban was so committed to rote process of excellence, it was more machine.

"Everybody loves Coach Bryant and they just tolerate the rest of us." Gene Stallings

 

[bama2112]

I recall my grandmother and mom crying when JFK was assassinated. And then I was working at Huntsville Hospital when we heard about it. Then 911 its amazing but for just a simple boy from Bama those are three external events that you recall what you were doing or where you were when the events happenned.

As for Coach Bryant, he is and always be the man to me that represents the football team, the university and the State of Alabama. RTR

 

[Cruiser]

I remember exactly where I was and the outpouring and procession. No other individual in the country, short of the President; could have garnered such feelings.

 

[CB4]

I’ll never forget that day. I was working at University Hospital in Birmingham. One of the physicians I worked with had a colleague working at Druid City and his colleague was with Coach Bryant when he suffered cardiac arrest and succumbed. He called him soon after and told him of Bryant’s passing.

The physician I worked with was a huge Bama fan. He informed us. So we knew well before it even hit the news. We were all just stunned.

I never forget Bryant’s response when asked at his retirement announcement about what he would do now that he would not be coaching? His response “I guess I’ll probably croak….”

And within a few short weeks after his final game, that statement became prophetic.

 

[Bamamonts]

I wasn’t born yet but me and my brother are named after him.
Roll Tide!

 

[Tidelines]

I wasn’t born yet but me and my brother are named after him.
Roll Tide!

As many are. They use to have articles from time to time about people named after him. I met him once and he is the only person I have ever felt in awe of. Truly had a presence about him.

 

[CB4]

As many are. They use to have articles from time to time about people named after him. I met him once and he is the only person I have ever felt in awe of. Truly had a presence about him.

A guy I worked with in the 1980’s named his son “Bryant” after Coach Bryant.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I wasn’t born yet but me and my brother are named after him.
Roll Tide!

You and your brother both named Bear?

 

[PA Tide Fan]

I remember that day. It was the lead sports story on my local news. It's rare that something Alabama football related is the lead sports story here in PA. I was in shock like many because he had just retired. It was because of him that I started following Alabama football.

 

[bamamc1]

 

[CrimsonTheory]

I was a shade under 2 at the time of Bear's death.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I was in Arkansas in the 10th grade at Football practice when I overheard the coaches talking about it.

 

[Moro Creek]

My Aunt's funeral at Elmwood was the same day as Coach Bryant's funeral. We were able to get out the front gate before his procession arrived. It was unbelievable at the amount of fans on the street in front of Elmwood waiting for his arrival. Something my wife and I will never forget.

 

[Elefantman]

You could not get a dial tone in Tuscaloosa for several hours that day. Some of you young'ons may need to Google "dial tone".

 

[DzynKingRTR]

You and your brother both named Bear?

Nah, pretty sure they are both named Coach, Middle names are Bear Bryant.

 

[Bamamonts]

Nah, pretty sure they are both named Coach, Middle names are Bear Bryant.

Paul and William.
We use to go to the namesake reunion every year. It was the first home game of the season.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

My dad died 26 years ago today (January 27, 1998). He is also buried in Elmwood not too far from Coach Bryant. My dad was a huge Alabama fan and a huge Coach Bryant fan. My love of Alabama sports comes from my dad.