re: Is there any truth to Harvey Updyke’s claim

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Was he sick for a while? Did the illness play a part (publicly) in him retiring?

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His health had been failing him since the late-70s due to his years of tobacco and alcohol abuse. He was "only" 69 when he retired but the man looked like he was in his late-70s in his final game. When death did come for him it was sudden, a major heart attack, and it took everyone by surprise. He died just one month after coaching his final game.

Just about every national news broadcast reported his death that evening. His funeral procession was absolutely legendary as thousands of people lined the route from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham. Hundreds of people gathered on the overpasses of I-20 to watch as the motorcade passed by on its way to Elmwood Cemetery.