@252BAMA
All of this was before my time: Dodd and Bisher. I knew about the story through books, mostly, and a few fans accounts I heard when I was growing up.
The thing I loved about the story really has nothing to do with the story.
September 4th, 1999: Alabama opens the season against Vanderbilt. There's a lot I can't remember about that game like "was it PPV?" I ask that because there was a reason I chose to watch the game at a sports bar; I can't recall why.
The lady I was dating at the time and I got there a little early to get "front row seats:" directly in front of the TV broadcasting the game and as close as possible to the bartender's cash register. (Pro tip: in a crowded bar, it's the best seat.)
We spent three quarters talking to a fellow Bama fan about the game, the team, and the staff. (I was living in Tuscaloosa at the time and spent a lot of time working around the facilities. That weekend, we were visiting SC (once is enough at Vanderbilt Stadium) rather than going to the game.) At the beginning of the fourth quarter I mentioned that we'd been talking about Bama for the last couple of hours and I had no idea what his name was.
Darwin Holt.
"Ah, I know who you are" was my only reply. (He noticed I was eyeing his ring as my own "proof.") Funny, looking back. I should have, but never mentioned anything about GT that afternoon. Looking back he probably appreciated that.