🏈 29 years ago today

[doemasters]

29 years ago today, the greatest football coach to ever walk the sidelines of a football field passed away. ​

 

[rammerjammer]

I remember I was in the 5th grade. I was riding the bus home from school when one of my friends told me that Bear Bryant died today. Truly a sad day for all Alabamians

 

[UAgrad93]

The only thing that I ever wanted to do as a little boy, was to grow up to play football for Coach Bryant. I was 12 years old when he passed away. I cried just like the man was my own father or grandfather. For that generation, I believe he was that figure for so many people. Roger Hallmark, from Warrior, wrote the song, "Bear of Alabama". How many of you remember that song?

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

The only thing that I ever wanted to do as a little boy, was to grow up to play football for Coach Bryant. I was 12 years old when he passed away. I cried just like the man was my own father or grandfather. For that generation, I believe he was that figure for so many people. Roger Hallmark, from Warrior, wrote the song, "Bear of Alabama". How many of you remember that song?

I remember the song,(That ole checkered hat,Rock granite face) I was 16 years old when he passed. I had the privilege to meet him also. One of the most memorable days in my life. I also share the same Birthday as him. :biggrin:

 

[LBS]

That was my first "I remember exactly where I was when..." moment.

 

[JoshB]

R.I.P. Bear

 

[Bo]

I was sitting in a math class when the principle came over the intercom with the news. My math teacher, who was an Auburn fan, stopped class and pulled a tv out we had in the class room for watching videos. He pulled up the rabbit ears on it and tuned it in to the news and we watched the coverage the rest of the day. The Auburn fan teacher was almost as depressed over the news as the Alabama fans in the class were.

 

[BamaDelta]

Like so many of you I remember the exact time and place. I cried as if it was my own family member. Like you uagrad93 I was afraid I wouldn't make it to Alabama before he died. I was right. Catching bits of Joe Pa's funeral I was shocked at how much it reminded me of Coach Bryant's (the family scenes, the football scenes, the scenes from fans and such). I really couldn't believe how fresh it made it again. To be honest I thought I was over it long ago. Yesterday brought it all back.

Many people make fun of us because we supposedly won't let Coach Bryant die. For most of us that isn't true. We let him die years ago, but it's hard to let go of someone that touched so many people across so many spectrums of life. Coach Bryant will always be remembered and will always be a part of this University and state.

 

[psychojoe]

An interesting comment I heard on comparing Joe Pa and The Bear. Someone said that all of Paterno's former players called him "Joe". To this day all of Bryant's former players refer to him as "Coach Bryant" or maybe "Coach". No Paul, no Bear.

 

[BigAl]

RIP Coach