I am a yankee. Yes you heard me not only a yankee, but a damn yankee because I moved here and did not go home. Instead I married a man from Alabama. He introduced me to Alabama football. I was lucky enough to see the last couple of seasons that Coach Bryant was there. I was so impressed at not just their play, but the attitude, and class of them. I started watching and loving the team as much as my husband.
He loved Alabama, and the Coach so much, but had never been to a game. I could not believe it. So I got us tickets one year on vacation to go to homecoming. It was one of the best times I have ever had. Thanks Gil for showing it to me.
My husband was overwhelmed when we went through the museam. Coach was gone, but the legend lives on and on.
ROLL TIDE!!
Carmen Farmer, LaPorte, TX

I was living and working in Meridian Ms at that time. I was off on that day, and several of my co-workers were setting around watching television. I remember they first said he was in the hospital, and then sometimes not long after that they said he had passed away. I felt like I had lost a family member.
I had wanted to play football for Alabama and Coach Bryant ever since I was 9 years old. I was aways afraid that he was going to retire before I got a chance. When I finished school in 1974,I did not get an offer from Alabama so I decided to walkon. I remember the fist day of fall practice, he took the time to correct something I was doing wrong, never been so nervous in my life. To make a long story short, I never got to play much, but I got a lot of practice time in and was awarded a scholorship my last year at Alabama. I found out that I would have to attend summer school to finish up my degree, I got up the courage to go in his office and ask if he would pay my last semester of school. I was afraid that he would not know who I was. When I ask him, he said yes, " you have done a lot for us the last four years for nothing" I will never forget that day, and I will always be greatful for the chance to be a small part of Alabama Football.

I was in 7th grade at Northport Jr.High and while sitting in History Class the Principal comes over the intercom and calls an assembly in the gym/auditorium and I remember sitting there thinking what's going on? I remember him walking up to the podium and announcing to the whole Jr. High that Coach Bryant had died. There was a collective gasp that I can hear today.

Even as a 7th grader I was able to grasp the magnitude of the passing of a college football giant. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!



Jim Baxter
Tuscaloosa, AL.

I was 12 years old and Coach Bryant came to Huntsville and was a special guest at the Christmas Parade and was sitting on a grandstand in Big Spring park. When I got close enough to meet him and shake his hand I heard his voice and was so intimidated I could bring myself to get any closer. Coach Bryant saw me and I guess he could see I was a little awe struck and came to me and shook my hand. A few years later he passed away and I cried like he was a member of my family.

Back in 1979, I was visiting my aunt in Tuscaloosa. My mom, aunt, and I went to the bank. My aunt came out and stated you will not believe who is in the bank. Of course, it was Coach Bryant. My aunt tore off the back of her checkbook (you know the piece with all of the small calendars on the back) and handed me a pen as he walked out of the bank. I quickly jumped out of the car and walked towards Coach Bryant. As I got close, this HUGE bodyguard stepped in between the two of us. Coach Bryant said "It's OK." (I was nine at the time.) I looked up and asked if I could have his autograph. He gladly signed my piece of paper and talked football briefly. What a day!

I don't remember where I was when I found out he had died. What I do remember is watching his funeral procession on TV, being depressed and amazed at the outpouring of people between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

Matt S.
UA 1992
Pascagoula, MS

I don't remember where I was that day, but I will never forget that feeling lose. It was like my grandfather had died and I never met the man. He was a part of the family, my family and still is today. Not literally of course, but family non the less.

To this day I occasionally run across opposing teams fans who still talk about Coach Bryant with fondness, and I can tell its genuine by the look in their eyes. To me this is truly the mark of a great man, when the opposition has this kind of respect.

ROLL TIDE FOREVER

I can't remember where I was when he died but I remember the funeral procession passing behind my house and seeing all the people standing on the overpasses with signs and lining the interstate.

Playing basketball at the Dairy Bar (our local hangout).I don't remember who stopped by and told us but of course we couldn't believe it to be true.That was a day I will never forget.

My fond memory of Coach Bryant was in 1978 Alabama was in Gainsville to whip the gators (40-0). On our way to the stadium the buses with the team fell in behind our car. I looked out the back window and standing in the front of the bus was Coach Bryant. My cousin and I started waving and showing Coach Bryant our Alabama hats, while yelling "Roll Tide" Coach Bryant then returned a big wave back at us. This was one of the highlights of my life! When I learned of the news that Coach Bryant had passed the first call that I made was to my brother who at that time was a freshman at the capstone to confirm. I was devastated by the news. I was so upset I had my father who is a funeral director call his friend at the funeral home to make sure it was true. Growing up during them years in which Coach Bryant had the Tide Rollin, were the best days of my life.

Steve Harden
Eustis, Florida (wishing I was back in Bama)

I was in elementary school in Marion, school had just let out, and I was headed down the hall to go outside to be picked up. Before I got to the doors, they were swung open by another student (who to this day is an Auburn fan). He had a terrible look on his face, and said to me, "Bear Bryant's dead". It is still burned into my memory.

Roll Tide, Coach Bryant - we miss you!

Its hard for me to believe its been 25 years.

I was 13 years old and getting ready to go play for Coach Bryant (at least in my mind). I never will forget that day. The tears that were shed (not a common thing for a 13 year old boy) by me and my family. My father is a huge Bama fan and it was particularly hard on him. I believe that was the first time I had ever seen him cry.

Like many have noted, Coach Bryant has been truly missed over these years. However, I will never forget the many times I got to witness his class and love for Alabama. Those memories are with me and they affect me every day of my life.

Roll Tide Roll!!!!!

Wow!!! 25 years. I cannot believe it has been that long. I was sitting in my apartment in Lompoc CA. Just got home from work. It had been a long fall for me because it was the first time in 5 years I was not either at a Tide game or listening on the radio. I knew it was the Bear's last season and I missed it. My parents called to tell me. I had not seen a TV all day and had not turned it on yet at home. I was stunned. I just set there the remainder of the night in silence.

David Abilene, TX

I was 8 years old when Coach Bryant died. I remember vividly seeing the 'Breaking News' cut-in. It was the first time I ever remember seeing my Dad cry.

Thank you Coach for giving us Alabamians something we will always be proud of. I will be forever grateful that you answered Mama's call.

Roll Tide,
SPC Jason Warren
Class of 2003
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

i was in the third grade, i remember the principal announcing over the loudspeaker that a very sad thing had just happened to our state, and when he told the school that the Bear had passed away, my entire class just started crying.......we didn't get much else accomplished the rest of the day!

my mom saved the newspaper clippings and magazines and later gave them to me. i was only around 9 at the time, but i'd grown up loving Alabama and that old man, and it just tears me up still today. one thing i try to do at some point each year is place roses on his grave, just to kind of honor his memory in my own way. he was the best that ever was and there won't ever be another like him, and thank God the 2 coaches that passed his record have the guts to acknowledge that.

thanks for the memories Coach.....we love you and God knows we miss you

It was one of those crystalizing moments where you know exactly when and where you were at the time of the incident. I was a 19 year old freshman at South Alabama, and I and my girlfriend had gone to the local mall to look around. I was in a clothing store for men, The Stylistic Shop, when the music on the radio was interrupted for the announcement of his passing. I immediately grabbed my girlfriend, and we rushed out to my car to finish listening to the report. Utter and complete shock was the feeling at the time, and we sat together in the car, crying and listening to the local sportscaster Jack Drees crying as well. It was too much to comprehend...I mean, this was The Man! I also remember driving home to tell my mom, and she met me at the door with the same, shocked expression on her face as well.
It has been 25 years, but it seems like a lifetime ago. I went on to graduate from Alabama in '88, another lifelong dream, but it will be impossible to replace the big man that gave everyone in this state a sense of pride in themselves. The lessons coach Bryant taught his players are lessons we try to live by, and I have tried to teach my children as well. To prove that training starts early at home, my daughter was invited to meet Dr. Witt when he was speaking to prospective students in the Mobile/Baldwin county areas. There was a trivia contest, and a question was asked about coach Bryant's overall coaching record, and before any hand could go up, my daughter was on her feet, exclaiming 323-85-17, 232-45-7 while at Alabama. This from a child that literally cares nothing about sports, but she and her brother have been taught the story of Paul W. Bryant, and how his legacy continues to influence the state of Alabama. May it continue to do so as long as the crimson jerseys take the field!
Roll Tide!
Tim Griffin, Mobile, Al. UA'87/'88