Fans, former players remember Paul W. ‘Bear’ Bryant

by WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Javon Williams

It has been 39 years since the passing of one of the greatest coaches in college football history, Paul William ‘Bear’ Bryant and Alabama fans and former players are continuing to remember him.

Former Alabama receiver, Keith Pugh, appreciates the words of wisdom that Bryant left behind and continues to go by them even after his time on the field.

“Coach Bryant said that football is not an easy game, if it were easy, we wouldn’t have enough uniforms. Everybody would want to play,” Pugh said. “You have to pay the price to be successful and I think that’s true in any walk of life.”

Bryant was not only a great coach but he was also one that didn’t guarantee his players anything. Former Alabama defensive back, Tommy Wilcox, thinks that it’s important for younger generation to know who Bryant was.

“I think the thing that I think separated coach Bryant from other coaches was he didn’t promise you a whole lot. He would tell you I think you’re made of the right stuff, I think you can do this and that but it’s going to be up to you to prove it,” Wilcox said.

Coach Bryant spent 25 seasons coaching at his alma mater where he had 320 victories, six national championships and 13 SEC titles. Bryant won his final game in the 1982 Liberty Bowl against Illinois (21-15).

On January 26, 1983 ‘Bear’ Bryant passed away at the age of 69.