Anniversary of Coach Bryant's Passing

[Bama323]

I was only about 5 or 6 years old. I remember my Dad calling someone on the phone and telling them that Coach Bryant had died that day. I vividly remember that because it was rare to see my father that down about something.

 

[magnolia]

I had come home from school (local Jr College) around lunch with a major migraine! Sat at the table long enough to eat a little something and read the local paper which had a one paragragh insert on Coach being admitted with chest pains. Went to my room to lay down, had the radio on real low when they had "breaking news". I barely heard what the dj said but did catch "Coach Bear Bryant" - I jumped up, turned the radio up loud and he repeated the sad news. I went up front with tears in my eyes telling my mom what happened (aside from my brother-in-law - at that time, was the only Bama fan in my family). My mom gave me a hug and told me to go lay down, get rid of my headache and just have some "alone" time. Little did I know, she got on the phone with a friend of hers who has family in T-town - got her to get every newspaper, magazine, whatever she could get for me. I was so suprised about 2 weeks later when I got that - cried while reading through all the articles and tributes then cut all of it out and made a scrapbook - which I still have to this day! One of my most treasured possesions.

Rest in Peace, Bear - still miss you lots!

 

[BamaHerb]

I remember it well. It was like my own father had died. I was sitting at my desk in my law office when my wife called me...a couple of minutes later my best friend called. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done for a few days. I greatly regret to this day not going to the Liberty bowl.

 

[80UoAGrad]

I was in the Memphis airport getting ready to board a plane to Birmingham. My boss at the time is a Tennessee grad but is the biggest Tide fan of all time. Nobody would tell him for fear that he would die of a heart attack.

The strange twist to all of this story. I saw Coach Bryant on Saturday morning prior to his death the next week and he looked awful. His skin was ashen in color and his eyes very dark around them. This was in the parking lot of the Shoney's on McFarland Blvd. Billy Varner had parked Coach Bryant's next to the front door of the restaurant and I believe got out to go in and get Coach Bryant a cup of coffee. Recognizing Varner and seeing Coach Bryant in the car I pulled my car along side of the car and waved and Coach Bryant nodded back. A few days later he was gone forever. "A great Bear says the pair" RTR

 

[Patently Bama]

Thanks TexasBama for the clarification on what anniversary it will be. Clearly math is not my strong suit....may be why I got a law degree instead.

 

[80UoAGrad]

Patently that's okay.....regardless of the number a legend's passing still leaves a big void with Bama Nation.

 

[TheCrimson6512]

I'm 16 years old so obviously I'm not old enough to remember Coach Bryant, but I can't help but get choked up reading some of these post. To me, Coach Bryant is a symbol, an inspiration to me. When I feel like I can't do something, when I don't believe in myself, I look at a picture of that man leaning against a goalpost wearing that houndstooth hat it reminds me that "If I believe in myself and have dedication and never quit I'll be a winner" That's what Bear Bryant is to me. So thank you Coach Bryant, for inspiring us, and for showing us that we can all be winners. :BigA:

 

[FreeBro]

I think I'll go watch some old BAMA tapes from when he was still stalking the sideline. Yall have made me nostalgic.

He was/is an inspiration to many.

There wre three men in my young life that I really looked up to; they were all tall, rough around the edges, with voices that sounded like gravel. Coach Bryant, John Wayne and my Papa (my Momma's Daddy). It hurt me when ALL three died. First Coach Bryant, then the Duke and just a few years ago my Papa. I told my wife that the world would never see the likes of those three again. As a child growing up in the 1960s I blew them up in my mind to be bigger than life. They were a special Trinity to me.

Coach Bryant and my Papa made me want to do better and be better.:BigA: :BigA: :BigA: :BigA:

 

[Bamathrunthru]

i'll never forget him a legend. i remember when i got the word he had passed i was painting the inside of a rental house. it was a cold night. the pride & love he gave to the UA will never be forgotten. i knew we always had a chance to win when he was on the sidelines.

 

[BamafanNPC]

I was in the fifth grade at home sick and heard my Mom cryin in the Living room. My Dad was in Belgium installing missile silos, so I thought something had happened to him. I ran into the living room and asked my Mom what was wrong and she said Coach Bryant had passed. I then sat on the couch with my Mom and cried watching the news. One of the saddest days of my life.:BigA:

 

[spock*]

It was a overcast day when I left Bidgood that morning, on my way to my work study job at Interim Term in B B Comer. I passed a couple of guys and briefly overheard their conversation... but I didn't believe it.

I soon as I got to work, I called the radio station and said this, "I overheard a extremely disturbing story on the way from class this morning, and I need you to confirm it".

They asked for no more information. The answer was simple and direct. "Coach Bryant died in Druid City Hospital about an hour ago."

I looked at the clock and it was almost 11 o'clock.

 

[BamaChief]

I remember my small 2A school being so quiet after the news, then later when the funeral was on the news My math teacher stopped class and turned on the TV and we all sat and watched.

 

[I hate fat phil]

I was 7 when Coach Bryant died. I was sitting in Dr. Tools office in for an check up on my ears and the news came across the radio. When Dr. Tool came in my mother was holding me and crying also and she told him what had happened and that grown man that I did not even know took me in his arms and held me and cried with us. Even being as young as I was, I was fortunate enough to have meet the man and talk to him and remember it like it was yesterday. My uncle had played for him and stayed on as a coach which allowed me that opportunity and I am thankful for that everyday.


Rest in Peace Coach we miss and still love you!!

 

[wishbonedays]

I was in college, and I was buying some golf shoes...I heard the radio behind the counter break in with the news...I just dropped the shoes, sat down for a few minutes, put my shoes on and went to my apartment to see if there was anyting on TV. Terrible day.
Thanks Coach for everything.

 

[TideRollsInVa]

I was a Chief on the Saratoga, in the Philly Yards. Every Chief that was a fan of football made it a point to speak to me about the loss of "The Last Coach" of my generation.

 

[BAMAHD]

Two reminders of the greatest coach of alltime!!!

http://www.zippyvideos.com/6013785115228806/bear2.2/
Bear Bryant Piece - bear[2].2.wmv @ ZippyVideos.com - Free Video Webhosting

http://www.zippyvideos.com/5852358745646266/the_bear_movie/
Paul Bear Bryant - the bear movie.wmv @ ZippyVideos.com - Free Video Webhosting

 

[lynyrd skynyrd]

I was working at Dewberry Engraving out on highway 280 and had a friend named Robbie Poole working with me. My Mom called me and I told him. We both went into the warehouse and he beat me to the window where he took off his hat and looked at me and I looked at him we both had tears and looked the other way. We both took our time and left work that day. We met an hour later and smoked to our memories and drank a gallon of gin. Coach Bryant wouldn't have approved, but we had no other choice, the pain was to bad...

I haven't talked to my friend since that day, he went one way and I went the other. I don't know who is better off. But I do know that the Coach had an effect that our Dad's couldn't...

 

[TideV]

I was a senior at University of Montevallo. I didn't pay much attention to the news during that time. My marketing professor had mentioned in class that a.m. that he was in the hospital. That was about all we knew. A couple hours later, walking into a shop on Main Street, the owner asked if I'd heard that Coach Bryant died. I was stunned. It was a very quiet and sad day. I had met him a few times, once at a Krystal burger in Bham and a couple times up at Channel 6 (I worked there part time) when he did the Bear Bryant Show on Sunday mornings.

 

[PisgahDave]

"Rest in Peace"

After what he did for all us fans, school, etc., that should be pretty easy, and well deserved. The few memories I have of my father, (and one of the reasons I'm such a big fan) is that of him watching the games in the early 80's in Scottsboro, T.V. muted and radio turned up. I had to promise not to make a sound in order to participate. He watched so intently if you walked in the room you would have guessed the world was coming to an end, and I'm sure that was with a two touchdown lead too . Wouldn't trade those memories though, no way.

 

[TheBearww]

All right Bear, you can look now. NCAA penalations are gone and we got Saban, who won a championship at LSU.