Tony Nathan, early 70's, (from the movie Woodlawn) asked about Coach Bryant....

"Bear Bryant
I was curious about the role faith and religion played on his Alabama teams and asked Nathan how often legendary Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant discussed the topics.

“He made us go to church,” Nathan recalled. “He brought around the people we needed to be around – the chaplains, the preachers. He talked about it all the time because he believed in family and he tried to create that family atmosphere.”

I was additionally interested in how Bryant diffused racial tension on his team.

“If you had a problem with someone because of the color of their skin, he did not tolerate that type of behavior and belief,” he said. “If he found anything out about that person (being prejudiced), either they changed their ways or they go home.”

Did Nathan ever experience racism as a member of the Crimson Tide?

“None whatsoever,” Nathan said without hesitation. “Not that I witnessed. Not in the locker rooms.”

Nathan said the Alabama campus at-large was accepting of him and that he never felt uncomfortable there because of his race. Considering the racial climate in Alabama at the time, I find Nathan’s account remarkable. It’s testament to the influence of Bryant, whom many believe helped — or, rather, forced – thousands of Alabama natives and Tide fans to accept integration by integrating his football team."