🏈 What were you doing this day 35 year ago?

[rick4bama]

Me I was driving around Ft. Stewart, Ga. making sure it was police up(picking up trash to non-military folks)!
Where Were You 35 Years Ago?

Paul William "Bear" Bryant
September 11, 1913 – January 26, 1983

 

[doemasters]

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Sad day. On Strong River Ranger District (Bienville National Forest...ms..)
Mom called and told me.......
Sad day indeed...loved the BEAR

 

[TUSKtimes]

Was around the house when I heard he died, just the suddenness behind retiring was a shock to the system for everyone in my family. I remember asking my dad if the weather at the Liberty Bowl could have done it to him.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

At 6 or 7 years old, I didn't even know who Bear was. I'd heard about his legend here or there until I really became a Bama fan around 13, during the 92 season.

My dad left when I was 5, so I didn't really have a father figure of sorts until my teenage years. Don't have the privilege of memories of games with a dad or grandpa.

 

[#80]

I was living two blocks from BDS attending classes I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a dark and dreary overcast day.

 

[bamachine]

Was in 6th grade, was announced over the intercom, many kids and teachers cried that day.

 

[Destiny's Child]

I was in the 5th grade. I was playing in the front yard with my buddy climbing trees and jumping out into a huge pile of leaves. Mom called out in the front yard and I went inside while my buddy went home. Sad day... I remember it well.

 

[BamaFan334]

Wasn't even a thought in anyone's mind at that time.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Wasn't even a thought in anyone's mind at that time.

Not even a twinkle????? Lol

 

[UAgrad93]

I was a 6th grader when our principal came over the PA and made the announcement. Man! The entire room burst into tears! I had always dreamed that I would play for him. I became a fan watching the Goalline Stand Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant won me that night when a reporter asked him why he didn't have on his houndstooth fedora on. In that low gravily voice he replied, " Momma said that you don't wear hats indoors!" I was sold!! It hurt me when he announced his retirement and I was crushed when he died!

 

[bamachine]

I was a 6th grader when our principal came over the PA and made the announcement. Man! The entire room burst into tears! I had always dreamed that I would play for him. I became a fan watching the Goalline Stand Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant won me that night when a reporter asked him why he didn't have on his houndstooth fedora on. In that low gravily voice he replied, " Momma said that you don't wear hats indoors!" I was sold!! It hurt me when he announced his retirement and I was crushed when he died!

He asked me if I was going to come play for him. My older brother was playing for him at the time. FTR, I am the youngest of 5 boys and the closest to me is 12 years older. The one that played for him is 17 years older. Walked on after 6 years in the USAF. It was not in the cards for me, as my football days ended in Jr High.

 

[tide92]

Got home from school (1st grade) that afternoon and still remember seeing it on the news.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Dang most of you all are young'uns

 

[UAgrad93]

He asked me if I was going to come play for him. My older brother was playing for him at the time. FTR, I am the youngest of 5 boys and the closest to me is 12 years older. The one that played for him is 17 years older. Walked on after 6 years in the USAF. It was not in the cards for me, as my football days ended in Jr High.

My Dad took me to a game at Legion Field and we were there for the players and Coach Bryant's traditional walk around the stadium. We were pressed up against the fence and Coach Bryant came up and I screamed at him, "I'm going to play for you one day Coach!" He looked at my Dad and I, took a few steps closer and grumbled, "Sir, it would be an honor to have your son come to the University and play football for me one day!" 10 year olds day MADE!!!! By the time I was college age, Coach Bryant had passed away, Coach Perkins had jumped to the NFL, and Coach Curry was the HC. I didn't care, in a way, I was going to fulfill my promise to Coach Bryant. I was recruited by several schools, including UA, but then tore my rotator cuff in my throwing shoulder. Coach Jimmy Fuller was the OL coach at UA and responsible for my area. He told me to come on anyways as a walk on and earn a shot at a scholarship. No way was I turning that down!! I was a part of Coach Curry's last team and Coach Stallings first team. After the '90 season, my grades reflected that of a kid with no shot of graduating. I knew I wouldn't be playing in the NFL, so I decided to call it a career and get my degree.

 

[OriginalBamachris]

I was almost 19 years old attending Shelton State Community College when it was on Skyland Boulevard. On the day of the funeral, I was working at the Piggly Wiggly on Greensboro Avenue. We did not have one customer until the evening. Sad day. But recall a great memory with coach from the early 1970s (see below). Glad I got to meet him. He and the players seemed really interested when talking with me and John as we watched practice.

 

[JoshB]

I wasn't alive.

 

[rick4bama]

My Dad took me to a game at Legion Field and we were there for the players and Coach Bryant's traditional walk around the stadium. We were pressed up against the fence and Coach Bryant came up and I screamed at him, "I'm going to play for you one day Coach!" He looked at my Dad and I, took a few steps closer and grumbled, "Sir, it would be an honor to have your son come to the University and play football for me one day!" 10 year olds day MADE!!!! By the time I was college age, Coach Bryant had passed away, Coach Perkins had jumped to the NFL, and Coach Curry was the HC. I didn't care, in a way, I was going to fulfill my promise to Coach Bryant. I was recruited by several schools, including UA, but then tore my rotator cuff in my throwing shoulder. Coach Jimmy Fuller was the OL coach at UA and responsible for my area. He told me to come on anyways as a walk on and earn a shot at a scholarship. No way was I turning that down!! I was a part of Coach Curry's last team and Coach Stallings first team. After the '90 season, my grades reflected that of a kid with no shot of graduating. I knew I wouldn't be playing in the NFL, so I decided to call it a career and get my degree.

My first game was the Kentucky game at BDS, 15-3. Now that second one was with the Southern Miss. My daughter and I sit at the metal benches, I had my binoculars, You guys were doing your stretching exercises. I was just watching what you are were doing till I look over at my daughter. She had my binoculars and was watching all the players derriere. So what I'm saying is she might had been watch your back side! Also it was a bad day for Bama!

 

[PurlJam]

Practicing basketball in my senior year of high school..... word came, coach stopped practice and sent us home....sad day indeed.