Paul Bear Bryant

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Paul “Bear” Bryant was one of the top coaches of college football, winning more games than any other coach in history. Paul Bryant, an American college football player and coach, was best known for his time as the longtime head coach at the University of Alabama. Before, Alabama, he coached at the University of Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A&M. Bryant took an active interest in the players' lives outside of football, but he also was a strict disciplinarian with his players. The legacy of Paul Bear Bryant can still be seen today throughout college football.
Paul Bryant was born on September 11, 1913, near Fordyce, Arkansas. Paul Bryant was the son of William Monroe and Dora Ida Kilgore and was the eleventh of twelve children. Bryant grew to six foot one at the age of thirteen. Bryant earned the nickname “Bear” for agreeing to wrestle a bear. At Fordyce High School he was an offensive lineman and defensive end and earned all-state honors for the 1931 Arkansas High School State Championship. When Bryant accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama, he elected to leave high school before graduating, so he had to enroll in Tuscaloosa high school to finish his diploma. Bryant played end for Alabama opposite to the big star, Don Hutson, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Bryant was also a participant in the school's 1934 National Championship team. Paul was third team all conference in 1933 and 1935, and was second team All-SEC in 1934. With a partially broken leg, Bryant played against Tennessee in 1935. “Bryant pledged the Sigma Nu Social fraternity, and as a senior, he married Mary Harmon,” said Joe Marcin. Bryant was in the 1936 NFL Draft and chosen in the fourth round by the Brooklyn Dogers; however, he never played profess...

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...l always be remembered for his trademark black & white gingham or houndstooth hat. You can see more and learn more about Paul “Bear” Bryant at the Paul W. Bryant Museum. Paul W. Bryant Drive, Paul W. Bryant Hall, and the Bryant-Denny Stadium are all named in honor of this great legend. Bryant will always be known for his strength, moral righteousness, and as an icon of success.

Works Cited

“Angelfire” The Story of Bear Bryant. 11 Sept. 1999. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. http://www.google.com. Bolton, Clyde. The Crimson Tide. Alabama: Huntsville, 1973. Print.

Gaddy, Ken. “Paul 'Bear' Bryant.” Encyclopedia of Alabama. 7 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 Jan. 2014 http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org Marcin, Joe. “Paul Bryant.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1996 ed. 1996. Print

Wikipedia Contributors. “Bear Bryant.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
4 Mar. 2014. Web. 13, 2014

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