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Joseph Goodman |
Paul Tyson has the curly hair just like his famous great grandfather, and he has the height, too.
As for an unwavering loyalty to the Alabama Crimson Tide, that's going to be tested over the next year.
This next sentence is going to seem inconceivable, but it's true. The great grandson of Paul "Bear" Bryant is being coached by a former protege of Gus Malzahn, says he might consider going to Clemson and is visiting Notre Dame over spring break. College football recruiting is a crazy business in Alabama, but it has never seen anything quite like this.
Every single descendant of Paul Bryant has attended the University of Alabama, and now his first descendant with a chance to play college football is being courted by Alabama's rivals.
"Growing up I was an Alabama fan, but now as I'm growing up and becoming more of an athlete and prospect I'd say I'm open to anybody," Paul Tyson said. "Whoever has an interest in me."
Clemson just defeated Alabama in a come-from-behind national championship game that dashed crimson hearts everywhere, but that hasn't stopped young Paul from loving Dabo Swinney, and visiting Clemson. He recently attended Clemson's junior day, and was invited to visit Notre Dame by new offensive coordinator Chip Long, who has ties to Birmingham.
Yes, Alabama has shown interest in the 6-foot-4, pro-style quarterback, too, but the very thought of Paul Bryant's DNA playing for Notre Dame probably resonates like blasphemy in a state where Bryant isn't just revered as the greatest coach in the history of college football, but rather worshipped more like a deity.
Take the gravitas of Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley and the Pope, and meld that into one persona. That's what Bryant is to the Heart of Dixie. Decades after Bryant's death, Alabamians still name their children after the coach, and in a state so relatively small it is not uncommon to know three or four people named after Bryant.
With so many Bryants running around, one would assume Paul Bryant had a lot of kinfolk. Not so. The Bryant family tree isn't very large. The coach had two children (Bryant Jr. and Mae Martin Tyson), and five grandchildren.
Marc Bryant Tyson was the only grandson, and of the seven great grandchildren only two are boys. Paul Bryant Tyson is the oldest, and so far the only football player.
"Just us two football players so far, and that's it" said Marc Tyson, who is now 54 years old.
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As for an unwavering loyalty to the Alabama Crimson Tide, that's going to be tested over the next year.
This next sentence is going to seem inconceivable, but it's true. The great grandson of Paul "Bear" Bryant is being coached by a former protege of Gus Malzahn, says he might consider going to Clemson and is visiting Notre Dame over spring break. College football recruiting is a crazy business in Alabama, but it has never seen anything quite like this.
Every single descendant of Paul Bryant has attended the University of Alabama, and now his first descendant with a chance to play college football is being courted by Alabama's rivals.
"Growing up I was an Alabama fan, but now as I'm growing up and becoming more of an athlete and prospect I'd say I'm open to anybody," Paul Tyson said. "Whoever has an interest in me."
Clemson just defeated Alabama in a come-from-behind national championship game that dashed crimson hearts everywhere, but that hasn't stopped young Paul from loving Dabo Swinney, and visiting Clemson. He recently attended Clemson's junior day, and was invited to visit Notre Dame by new offensive coordinator Chip Long, who has ties to Birmingham.
Yes, Alabama has shown interest in the 6-foot-4, pro-style quarterback, too, but the very thought of Paul Bryant's DNA playing for Notre Dame probably resonates like blasphemy in a state where Bryant isn't just revered as the greatest coach in the history of college football, but rather worshipped more like a deity.
Take the gravitas of Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley and the Pope, and meld that into one persona. That's what Bryant is to the Heart of Dixie. Decades after Bryant's death, Alabamians still name their children after the coach, and in a state so relatively small it is not uncommon to know three or four people named after Bryant.
With so many Bryants running around, one would assume Paul Bryant had a lot of kinfolk. Not so. The Bryant family tree isn't very large. The coach had two children (Bryant Jr. and Mae Martin Tyson), and five grandchildren.
Marc Bryant Tyson was the only grandson, and of the seven great grandchildren only two are boys. Paul Bryant Tyson is the oldest, and so far the only football player.
"Just us two football players so far, and that's it" said Marc Tyson, who is now 54 years old.
Continue reading...
