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re: Why Did Bear Bryant Wait Seven Years to Integrate Bama Football?
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:01 pm to coachcrisp
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:01 pm to coachcrisp
quote:
What you're not grasping is that Bryant is/was an icon in the state, but Wallace ran the state...he called the shots, and that was the way is was. The 2 men were friends publicly, but their worlds weren't in the same solor system...so to speak.
Just so we're clear, you don't believe Bryant had the clout to force Wallace's hand in '65 (had he chosen to)?
That's all I'm asking.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:02 pm to DWag215
Over-signing. He had a seven year waiting list.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:05 pm to DWag215
This would have been a great off-season thread. Why use it now when we can talk about how great Gus Bus is and how Mizzou deserves to be in Atlanta instead of SC?
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:09 pm to DWag215
I think the OP is underestimating the power Wallace had. The ONLY reason Wallace gave in was because of the Federal govt. but make no mistake, Bear couldn't hold a candle to Wallace as far as power doing that time.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:09 pm to TiptonInSC
Fair point.
I was doing some research on Bryant the other night and this topic triggered my curiosity.
I was doing some research on Bryant the other night and this topic triggered my curiosity.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:11 pm to TeamLSU
Some believe Wallace actually feared Bear:
LINK
quote:
Separately, those two old warhorses, the governor and the coach, had a cordial, but rather detached relationship. For one thing, the ever-paranoid Wallace reportedly feared that Bryant’s popularity would make him a formidable challenger in a gubernatorial race.
John Hannah, who played as an offensive lineman for Alabama, and later enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in the NFL, once reportedly quipped: "Wallace called Bryant weekly. The reason was he was scared that Bryant would run for governor, because [Bryant would] win.
LINK
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:15 pm to DWag215
quote:
Just so we're clear, you don't believe Bryant had the clout to force Wallace's hand in '65 (had he chosen to)?
Dude, read the damn article and STFU.
quote:
“[Wallace] was especially watchful of the University of Alabama and let it be known to the school's president, Frank Rose, that funds would be cut if he crossed swords with Wallace on racial policies,”
I swear, you make beating a dead horse look like a vacation.
This post was edited on 11/17/13 at 6:17 pm
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:17 pm to DWag215
Dwag-Wallace was the FACE of southern politics while Bear was the face of Alabama during that time. Wallace had far more power that Bryant regardless what John Hannah make have thought.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:29 pm to DWag215
In the mid 60s Bryant probably had very little clout when it came to dealing with Wallace. Anyone looking back has no idea how powerful George Wallace was in Alabama during the 60s. Most rural Alabamians had 2 pictures in their living rooms...one of Jesus and one of George Wallace. In 1966 Wallace couldn't run for Governor again because of term limits, so he ran his wife. She carried all but one county in the state.
Make no mistake. George Wallace ran the state of Alabama through the mid-sixties. His campaign for president in 1968 was based on fighting desegregation. No, he would not have taken kindly to having his Alma mater integrated while he was actively fighting integration.
Make no mistake. George Wallace ran the state of Alabama through the mid-sixties. His campaign for president in 1968 was based on fighting desegregation. No, he would not have taken kindly to having his Alma mater integrated while he was actively fighting integration.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:32 pm to thatguy1892
That really doesn't address the critical part of my hypothetical.
It's perfectly evident that Wallace would have his way if Bryant remained silent (publicly) on the issue. I asked what he'd do if Bryant made his desires known to all. The article doesn't answer that question and neither have any responses on the thread.
Not sure why that's so frustrating.
It's perfectly evident that Wallace would have his way if Bryant remained silent (publicly) on the issue. I asked what he'd do if Bryant made his desires known to all. The article doesn't answer that question and neither have any responses on the thread.
Not sure why that's so frustrating.
This post was edited on 11/17/13 at 6:33 pm
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:34 pm to TeamLSU
quote:
Dwag-Wallace was the FACE of southern politics while Bear was the face of Alabama during that time. Wallace had far more power that Bryant regardless what John Hannah make have thought.
I don't know you'd assume Hannah was the only one who thought Wallace was scared of Bear.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 6:47 pm to DWag215
John Hannah, who played as an offensive lineman for Alabama, and later enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in the NFL, once reportedly quipped: "Wallace called Bryant weekly. The reason was he was scared that Bryant would run for governor, because [Bryant would] win.
-------------------------------------------------
Didn't you notice the word "quipped". It was a joke, son.
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Didn't you notice the word "quipped". It was a joke, son.
Posted on 11/17/13 at 7:08 pm to coachcrisp
Just because it's a witty remark doesn't mean it's entirely devoid of the truth.
I'd suspect a power-glutton like Wallace would be wary of anyone widely revered in the state of Alabama.
But who knows. In the end, Bear didn't make a public push so they never had to measure their dicks.
Anyways, pretty interesting stuff.
I'd suspect a power-glutton like Wallace would be wary of anyone widely revered in the state of Alabama.
But who knows. In the end, Bear didn't make a public push so they never had to measure their dicks.
Anyways, pretty interesting stuff.
This post was edited on 11/17/13 at 7:10 pm
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