🏈 Alabama’s History of ‘Little People’ Managers

[TerryP]

At several times over the past three seasons, many fans who have watched Alabama football on TV have noticed someone of diminutive stature on the Crimson Tide sidelines. And for once, we’re not talking about head coach Nick Saban.

The person in question is John Bartlett, a senior from Elberta, AL. By all accounts, he has been a valued member of the football program since he became a student equipment manager prior to the 2011 season. He’s even poked fun at his lack of height by dressing as a baby – complete with a diaper, pacifier and cardboard sign that reads “Where’s My Mommy?” – this past Halloween.

He’s also the continuation of an unofficial tradition in Tuscaloosa: That of the “little people” student managers, one that started in the late 1970s when Bear Bryant was the head coach. From the sounds of it, it happened completely by accident.

“We’re unique in that respect,” said one of Bartlett’s predecessors, Colin “Big C” MacGuire (above), over the phone from his home in Greenville, AL. “I was the first one… It just happened, I guess you could say.”

MacGuire arrived at Alabama in 1977 after spending his freshman year of college at Marion (AL) Military Institute, where he was a manager for the football team. After working with the Crimson Tide’s wrestling program as a sophomore, he moved over to the football team in advance of the 1978 season, which culminated in a national championship.

He was joined the next year on the Alabama sidelines by another, similarly short student manager named Joe Henley (below left). Henley was high school best friends with incoming DB Tommy Wilcox (who would earn All-America honors in 1981 and 1982) in Hanrahan, LA. Wilcox helped Henley get in with the football program and, along with MacGuire, watched the Crimson Tide defend their national title.

Read more at http://www.lostlettermen.com/alabamas-history-of-little-people-managers/#SVDFPEhXxrvOLpxM.99
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[JoshB]

"Little people" creep me out.

 

[PhillyGirl]

My mom has a genuine phobia of midgets. I find it hilarious. She will literally go out of her way to avoid walking near them, or having one as a cashier at a register, or something. It's just this weird thing that dates back to seeing a movie with midgets in it when she was a kid that terrified her.

Pretty interesting article though. Everyone deserves an equal chance, so good for them! And thanks to Bartlett and MacGuire for all that they do for the team.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

"Little people" creep me out.

An open-minded guy like you? C'mon...

 

[JoshB]

I cant figure out if you're trying to be sarcastic in suggesting I'm NOT open minded or not... :chat_headscratch: Regardless, they creep me out and have since I was a kid, cant help it.

 

[bamaledge]

There was a young man, here in Grand Ledge, Michigan, that was diminutive, I don't think he was a midget but real small in stature. He was the only person here that said "roll tide" to us and he loved Alabama football. After he found out we were Tide fans he always said Roll Tide whenever we saw him and that started when my son was around 8. May you rest in peace Bryan, you are missed. Roll Tide.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I cant figure out if you're trying to be sarcastic in suggesting I'm NOT open minded or not... :chat_headscratch: Regardless, they creep me out and have since I was a kid, cant help it.

Nope, serious. I consider you one of the free spirits of the board.

In terms of sarcasm, I have to try to NOT be sarcastic...

RTR,

Tim

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

Ask Porter about how much he loves Little People.

 

[tidentrue]

Doyle Hargraves doesn't like them either, or antique furniture

 

[TerryP]

Doyle Hargraves doesn't like them either, or antique furniture

#Slingblade reference?

 

[tidentrue]

#Slingblade reference?

Hmmm Hmmm

 

[cjaytch]

My ex wife's uncle was not only a spitting image of Doyle but talked and acted just like him too.

Man I hated that SOB