🏈 The Gift of a Legend: The Life and Legacy of Bear Bryant

[TUSKtimes]

“He had a persona about him that was just different. He was a huge man. He had huge hands and had this rugged face, you know, deep cracks that ran through his real dark-complected skin. He just looked like leather, his face was leather. He talked with this gravelly voice. Real low where you had to lean in. You had to really pay attention when he talked ’cause he talked real low. So he had these mannerisms about him. And he was striking. When he walked into a room, the chemistry of the room changed. It got quieter. He was the focus of the room. And that would happen, certainly when he was with the team … but it was like that anywhere he went. His presence was felt.” — Johnny Musso


The Gift of a Legend: The Life and Legacy of Bear Bryant

 

[Max]

good find

 

[bama alum]

In many ways, Bryant allowed us to see his flaws. He was a man we could touch and feel and smell. I was 5 years old when he died, but I felt like I knew him.
I still cry for Bear Bryant, and I don’t know why.

What a great read! I was 13 when Coach Bryant died. When I got off the bus and home, I picked up the afternoon copy of the Birmingham News lying in our front yard. I bawled and bawled.

True legends don’t plan to become what they eventually become. Such is the case with Bear Bryant. Often, when people try to explain the greatness of Bryant, they are left scratching their heads. Was it his work ethic? His magnetism? His drive? His passion? His knowledge? His ability to motivate? His wisdom? His confidence? The answer to all these questions is “yes.”

But the best answer is that it was just him. Bear Bryant was great because he was Bear Bryant.

Amen! Amen!

 

[sean]

In many ways, Bryant allowed us to see his flaws. He was a man we could touch and feel and smell. I was 5 years old when he died, but I felt like I knew him.
I still cry for Bear Bryant, and I don’t know why.

What a great read! I was 13 when Coach Bryant died. When I got off the bus and home, I picked up the afternoon copy of the Birmingham News lying in our front yard. I bawled and bawled.

True legends don’t plan to become what they eventually become. Such is the case with Bear Bryant. Often, when people try to explain the greatness of Bryant, they are left scratching their heads. Was it his work ethic? His magnetism? His drive? His passion? His knowledge? His ability to motivate? His wisdom? His confidence? The answer to all these questions is “yes.”

But the best answer is that it was just him. Bear Bryant was great because he was Bear Bryant.

Amen! Amen!

i still remember, too. i was 12 at the time and i remember my mom coming to pick me up at school and telling me. we both cried all the way home. and i remember watching the funeral on tv and seeing all those signs hanging from the overpasses going up 59 from tuscaloosa to birmingham.

i've been to his grave site a couple times. gave me the chills both times to stand there, looking down at the marker, knowing what that man did for so many people..and i'm not talking about just the players.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

The BEAR was so much part of my generation growing up in Alabama....regardless who you rooted for.....

 

[bamachine]

I was also 12 when he passed, they announced it over the intercom at my small rural school. Teachers and students alike were crying. Even some of those Aubbie fans got caught up in the moment. met the man twice, in the year before he died, he was so nice to a young pest like me.