Bobby Cannon with Bear Bryant in December 1963. What makes it great is that it's a true, real-life, first-hand, story about one man's personal experience with Bear Bryant. Bobby Cannon running through a big hole at the line of scrimmage.

Bryant's first spring practice back at Alabama was much like what happened at Junction.

Bobby Cannon with Bear Bryant in December 1963. He went on to the Bryant was an assistant coach at Alabama (1936–40) and at In 1958 Bryant returned to Alabama, where he spent the rest of his coaching career.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Thanks for supporting this site by purchasing high quality fan products from the sponsors we link to Anybody that was around him was truly fortunate. Gaylon McCullough had a dislocated shoulder also and he would help me get mine back in place.After the spring game in 1965, I had shoulder surgery around the first of June. "At the close of the 1957 season, having compiled an overall 25–14–2 record at Texas A&M, Bryant returned to Tuscaloosa to take the head coaching position, succeeding When asked why he returned to his alma mater, Bryant replied, "Mama called.

It’s about how he behaved when no one was watching. After winning a combined four games in the three years before Bryant's arrival (including Alabama's only winless season on the field in modern times), the Tide went 5–4–1 in Bryant's In 1971, Bryant began engineering a comeback. Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn! He valued a good blocker more than a good runner. Under Bryant, Kentucky made its first bowl appearance in Though he led Kentucky's football program to its greatest achievement, Bryant resigned after the 1953 season because he felt that Again, as at Kentucky, Bryant attempted to integrate the Texas A&M squad. Bobby Cannon with Bear Bryant in December 1963. McKay certainly got along with Bryant much better than Stanford coach John Ralston. Picture of Ray Cannon in his Tennessee football uniform in 1939. He was an eyewitness to greatness as a member of two of the greatest college football teams ever. His story illustrates how Bear Bryant's drive and dedication to win made him and his teams the best in college football history. Then select it. But in my opinion, they deserved better coaching than they have been getting from me this year." I had always been in great shape and bench pressed 325 lbs in high school before most people were even lifting weights.The last time I saw Coach Bryant, he was in the Tuscaloosa airport. Some of Bryant's assistants thought it was even more difficult, as dozens of players quit the team. So here is a story told me by a former USC administrator: One day, Bryant showed up at USC and came to McKay's office.

I came in second behind Dennis Homan.

"Well", Bryant replied, "then that's where we're going to finish in football. My arm was in a sling until the middle of July and I couldn't run or lift weights all summer. Growing Up Poor Paul William Bryant was born a place near Fordyce, Arkansas called Morro Bottom on September 11, 1913. What a block! His iconography is so immense and penetrating that no other dead man brings tears to the eyes of Alabamians as much as Paul W. Bryant. THE STORY OF BEAR BRYANT.

Here's a great Bear Bryant story you won't find anywhere else. Click the button and find it on your computer. But, perhaps, that hunger to win, caused the Bear to push too hard, with negative consequences, in some cases. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Adrian Rogers tells a story in one of his sermons about a player for Coach Bear Bryant who got into the doghouse with the coach and in a game at Arkansas he threw an interception after playing a pitiful game and then was able to run down the Arkansas player even though the Razorback had a clear path to the end-zone. Bear Bryant, byname of Paul William Bryant, (born September 11, 1913, Kingsland, Arkansas, U.S.—died January 26, 1983, Tuscaloosa, Alabama), American college football coach who set a record (later broken) for more games won than any other collegiate coach, with the majority of the victories coming during his tenure (1958–82) at the University of Alabama. I love it and I love my players. Thank You!Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Enjoy. He was boarding a plane with several gentlemen. This is the letter Bobby Cannon received from Bear Bryant in December 1963 welcoming him to the University of Alabama. This included abandoning Alabama's old power offense for the relatively new Bryant coached at Alabama for 25 years, winning six national titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, and 1979) and thirteen SEC championships. See what you think. Entering your comments is easy to do. Interesting article illuminating the hot recruiting rivalry in the early 60’s between Tennessee and Alabama. "The back-up player grabbed his helmet and said… But, perhaps, that hunger to win, caused the Bear to push too hard, with negative consequences, in some cases.

He and Coach Bryant were cut from the same piece of cloth.Coach Bryant was always great to me and treated me like a son. Some are humorous and some recount heroic actions or extraordinary circumstances.One story was that Coach Bryant ran over to one of his players and barked the command: "Number 54, get in there and sack that Qb! "We'll be the last football team in the Southwest Conference to integrate", he was told by a Texas A&M official.

I should have been a running back but I was such a good blocker that Coach Bryant put me at fullback. See what you think.

Dad taught me more than any coach I ever had. Lots of big names on there. Great!