Paul Bryant died 40 years ago today (1/26/1983)

[Padreruf]

Coach Paul Bryant died 40 years ago today...the legend has only grown. Why don't we share our favorite Coach Bryant quote? Here's mine...

"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

So true -- and later quoted by Bobby Knight and many other coaches.

 

[CB4]

Coach Paul Bryant died 40 years ago today...the legend has only grown. Why don't we share our favorite Coach Bryant quote? Here's mine...

"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

So true -- and later quoted by Bobby Knight and many other coaches.

i remember it all too well. I was 22 years old working at University Hospital in Birmingham. I had a friend that worked at DCH in Tuscaloosa. I probably heard within 10 minutes of his passing. We were all stunned.

Many of the “old timers” at University Hospital would share stories about Coach Bryant’s trips to the hospital to visit. Particularly poignant was the visits with Pat Trammell during his battle with cancer. Have no doubt that Coach Bryant loved Pat Trammell as “if he were his own”. And Trammell’s death affected Coach Bryant deeply.

 

[BamaMoon]

News circulated early afternoon in my Jr. High School in Walker Co. when I was in 7th grade. My coach told me.

It's a day I'll never forget...just one day before my 13th birthday.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

I went to the Liberty Bowl a few weeks before he died ( might have been the coldest I have ever been). He looked 100 years old. Also, that was the most stress I have ever seen Alabama players under to win a game.

 

[RTR_UA#1]

I remember being shocked to hear of Coach Bryants death so soon after he retired.

 

[BamaMoon]

Coach Paul Bryant died 40 years ago today...the legend has only grown. Why don't we share our favorite Coach Bryant quote? Here's mine...

"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

So true -- and later quoted by Bobby Knight and many other coaches.

Perhaps the saddest quote of his was the one he said about retirement. Paraphrased it was something like "When I retire I'll die within a year." Instead, he only lived a month.

Coach Bryant was only 69, but he looked 80+ near the end of his life. Smoking and drinking had their impacts. Compare how he looked to CNS, who looks like a spring chicken in his early 70's.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Winchester (VA) Star

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Perhaps the saddest quote of his was the one he said about retirement. Paraphrased it was something like "When I retire I'll die within a year." Instead, he only lived a month.

Coach Bryant was only 69, but he looked 80+ near the end of his life. Smoking and drinking had their impacts. Compare how he looked to CNS, who looks like a spring chicken in his early 70's.

The actual quote was, "Quit coaching? I'd croak in a week."

But yeah, you're right - and so was he.

 

[BamaMoon]

The actual quote was, "Quit coaching? I'd croak in a week."

But yeah, you're right - and so was he.

Thanks! I wasn't even close.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Walla Walla (WA) Union Bulletin

 

[BamaMoon]

Winchester (VA) Star
View attachment 31743

Somewhere in a container, I have Jan. 27th's newspapers including the B'ham News, the Postherald and the Daily Mountain Eagle, which were all dedicated to his life and coaching career.

 

[Go Bama]

Here's my favorite. I've tried to walk the walk.

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit – you'll be a winner."

 

[Tidelines]

Here's my favorite. I've tried to walk the walk.

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit – you'll be a winner."

Amen

 

[DzynKingRTR]

didn't the Challenger explosion also happen on this day 01/26?

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Colorado Springs Gazette

 

[selmaborntidefan]

didn't the Challenger explosion also happen on this day 01/26?

No, it was the 28th (if I remember correctly....)



Kobe Bryant - another Bryant - died on January 26 in 2020, though.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

No, it was the 28th (if I remember correctly....)



Kobe Bryant - another Bryant - died on January 26 in 2020, though.

I knew it was on or near it. mainly because my dad died 25 years ago tomorrow.

 

[CB4]

I mentioned earlier in the thread about Bryant's visit to University Hospital to see Pat Trammell (Trammell had competed medical school and was in residency when diagnosed with cancer). This story about those final days and Bryant's visit.

Trammell’s life, death left indelible legacy at Alabama

In Part 3 of our 3-part series, we explore how Pat Trammell's untimely death had a long-lasting effect on Alabama football and the university as a whole

www.al.com

 

[TideEngineer08]

Just months before I was born, so I never got to see him while he was alive. Only replays. But I've read many books, biographies, etc. Others have passed him on the all-time wins list but no one has been so legendary. Like all things, that may fade over time but for now I still feel like it is true.

My favorite quote, and I love them all, but it is the one that plays on the speakers in Bryant-Denny before each game. "I hope the people remember me as a winner, because I ain't never been nothing but a winner."

 

[crimsonaudio]

didn't the Challenger explosion also happen on this day 01/26?

Jan 28, 1986. Watched it happen live from the school yard.