BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Alabama is the hottest brand in college football. The infatuation for the Crimson Tide encompasses not only the present but has spurred a romance for the past. SHOWTIME Sports has chosen to explore the ramifications of a game discussed for decades, the September 12, 1970 USC-Alabama contest held at Legion Field in Birmingham. Following the 1969 season, the NCAA allowed schools to add an 11th regular season game. Coach Paul W. Bryant reached out to a trusted lifelong confidante and friend, University of Southern California head coach John McKay, to complete the schedule. Reasons the Trojans were selected as the opponent are explored in the feature-length documentary āAGAINST THE TIDEā set to air on Friday, November 15 at 9:00 PM CT (check listings for additional broadcasts).
Bryant had signed African-American running back Wilbur Jackson in December of 1969. A prevailing supposition circulated since forever was that he concocted the 1970 gridiron encounter to accelerate an agenda. According to folklore he hoped Alabamaās fan base would become amenable to recruiting multiple African-American players to The Capstone after a predictable convincing victory by the West coast power. Although SEC rival Tennessee trounced the Tide during the prior year with three African-American players on the roster, Southern California was the first fully integrated team to be hosted by Alabama. Those subscribing to the premise the legendary coach devised a full-proof scheme to enhance the perceived goal suggested a resounding win culminated with a wave of acceptance by the Tide faithful to change their attitudes.
Former Tide players Joe Namath, Scott Hunter, John Hannah and John Mitchell provide perspective on the controversial myths surrounding the matchup and evolution of the integration of Alabama football. The project attempts to clarify the cloud of confusion created by the meshing of fact and fiction over time. Conflicting versions about the genesis pairing two perennial college football powers is presented and debated for the audience to decipher the real truth.
Read More Here...
Bryant had signed African-American running back Wilbur Jackson in December of 1969. A prevailing supposition circulated since forever was that he concocted the 1970 gridiron encounter to accelerate an agenda. According to folklore he hoped Alabamaās fan base would become amenable to recruiting multiple African-American players to The Capstone after a predictable convincing victory by the West coast power. Although SEC rival Tennessee trounced the Tide during the prior year with three African-American players on the roster, Southern California was the first fully integrated team to be hosted by Alabama. Those subscribing to the premise the legendary coach devised a full-proof scheme to enhance the perceived goal suggested a resounding win culminated with a wave of acceptance by the Tide faithful to change their attitudes.
Former Tide players Joe Namath, Scott Hunter, John Hannah and John Mitchell provide perspective on the controversial myths surrounding the matchup and evolution of the integration of Alabama football. The project attempts to clarify the cloud of confusion created by the meshing of fact and fiction over time. Conflicting versions about the genesis pairing two perennial college football powers is presented and debated for the audience to decipher the real truth.
Read More Here...
