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Bear Bryant Stories

Posted on 1/28/20 at 4:42 pm
Posted by Allyn McKeen
Key West, FL
Member since Jun 2012
4274 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 4:42 pm
Story 1

My first college game for Cal was against Bama at Legion Field in 1973. They beat us 66-0. It was 59-0, and Bama scored their final touchdown with 45 seconds left to go.

When the two coaches met at midfield, our coach, Mike White, said, "Coach, I don't think that last touchdown was necessary." Bear said, "Coach, how many players did you have on the field?" Coach White said, "11." Coach Bryant said, "I think you need to bring that up with them."

Story 2

Linda Cardwell was the first female golf anchor at the Golf Channel (when they were located in Birmingham). Before the Golf Channel, she was a sports anchor for a TV station in Anniston. She went to a Bear Bryant press conference for the station, but she was escorted out before it started because females weren't allowed.

Linda was sitting in hallway outside and was in tears. Bear comes by and says, "What's wrong, Little Lady?" She told him that she had just been kicked out of the press conference. He stood her up and walked in with her arm in arm, and he was singing "Love Lifted Me" out loud. He walked her to the front row and made some guys move and sat her down. He then said, "Gentlemen, our policy on no women has changed. Watch your language." One guy said, "So women are allowed in from now on?" Bryant said, "She is. If any other women show up, we'll discuss their admittance then."

Posted by BoozeDawg
ATLANNUH
Member since Sep 2018
1465 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 4:46 pm to
Posted by 3down10
Member since Sep 2014
22574 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 4:47 pm to
When will people ever learn that posting means you do care?
Posted by Ted2010
Member since Oct 2010
38958 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 5:11 pm to
That was pretty good stuff
Posted by auburn2eugene
Now back in Oneonta Alabama
Member since Jan 2013
1097 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 5:25 pm to
quote:

Bear Bryant Stories


Pat Dye beat him out for Bo Jackson.
Posted by The Winner
Member since Nov 2016
7908 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 5:28 pm to
Wow you played for Cal and are a MSU fan now? I'd love to hear these stories
Posted by coachcrisp
pensacola, fl
Member since Jun 2012
30591 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 5:34 pm to
quote:

Pat Dye beat him out for Bo Jackson.
The Tide asst. coach (Ken Donahue) that recruited Bo told him and his family that Bo wouldn't get PT his freshman year. When Bo told Coach Dye that, DYE assured him that he'd be on the field as a freshman. That came out of Jackson's mouth.
Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
51350 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 5:59 pm to
Morning of LSU Bama game, Mary Harmon called Cholly Mac's house looking for Bear. Bear was passed out drunk on the floor behind Mac's couch.
Posted by SD Tider
San Diego
Member since May 2019
2500 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:13 pm to
My family story: my grandfather was a friend of Bear and his son/my uncle played guard for him. The day after he died unexpectedly from a heart attack the entire family was gathered at the old home in Linden, Alabama. A big Cadillac pulled into the driveway and Bear emerged from it wearing his houndstooth hat and a suit. My grandmother was pretty old school and refused to come out of the bedroom because she wasn’t dressed/put together and had been crying. When my Dad told Bear that she wasn’t ready for company Bear told them to give her his love and let him know if she needed anything. Then he asked how much the funeral arrangements cost. My uncle said they hadn’t even looked into it yet. Bear reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills which came out to about $2500 (and this was in 1971). He said to let him know if that wasn’t enough and that he would be there, then left. It was a pretty cool gesture.
Posted by roadkill
East Coast, FL
Member since Oct 2008
1834 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:16 pm to
enjoy your once-in-a-generation QB this past year. Bama will ring up 8-10 in a row again starting next year in Bryant-Denny West stadium - RTR
Posted by m2pro
Member since Nov 2008
28595 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:17 pm to
quote:

Morning of LSU Bama game, Mary Harmon called Cholly Mac's house looking for Bear. Bear was passed out drunk on the floor behind Mac's couch.



So, he was into alcohol? Wtf? Why don't people talk about that and raise some awareness? Sorry for partying, my dude.
Posted by Ted2010
Member since Oct 2010
38958 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:18 pm to
quote:

Morning of LSU Bama game, Mary Harmon called Cholly Mac's house looking for Bear. Bear was passed out drunk on the floor behind Mac's couch.


And Bryant still owned y’all.
Posted by Ted2010
Member since Oct 2010
38958 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:19 pm to
That is pretty cool
Posted by CrownTownHalo
CrownTown, NC
Member since Sep 2011
2948 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:27 pm to
I don’t really have a story, but there was a steakhouse outside of Columbus, MS, where my grandparents were dining. Saw The Bear and Johnny Majors eating there getting hammered.
Posted by Luke
1113 Chartres Street, NOLA
Member since Nov 2004
13404 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:42 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/29/20 at 9:55 am
Posted by cypressbrake3
Member since Oct 2014
3681 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:54 pm to
Any Bear in Las Vegas stories?
Posted by cmayes56
Alabama
Member since Oct 2015
2843 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 7:02 pm to
And someday you will be as well.. I wonder if anyone will remember you?
Posted by Herman Frisco
Bon Secour
Member since Sep 2008
17260 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 7:15 pm to
BOOM
Posted by Rocket Surgeon
Member since Jan 2020
696 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 7:32 pm to
A friend of mine, Auburn grad, was a DJ at one of Birmingham's largest radio stations.

He was on air when news of Bear's death came across the wire.

He broke into the song and made the announcement on air. The station manager and other employees came running to the booth to verify he was serious.

He spent the rest of his shift talking calls from listeners, many of them crying like babies.

He had no delay so he kept his finger ready on the cutoff. He had to use it twice. A drunk hollering "I'm glad he is dead" and a guy who identified himself as an Auburn fan and then made some inappropriate comments.

Posted by BoozeDawg
ATLANNUH
Member since Sep 2018
1465 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 10:42 pm to
quote:

When will people ever learn that posting means you do care?


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