Published May 14, 2012 - 11:15am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Bear Bryant is a legend in the college football coaching ranks, and some experts consider him to be the best ever. Even though Bryant has passed, his memory lives on forever in the SEC. But do you ever wonder what it was like being a 17 year-old football player going to play for Coach Bryant himself?
An article from columnist Roy Exum at The Chattanoogan gives you a look at what a certain player faced his going into his freshman year at Alabama, from Coach Bryant himself.
Chris is considered a scholarship player, and the letter, which Exum believes to be about 40 years old, was sent to him the summer before he enrolled at Alabama:
Dear Chris:
You will be expected to report for football practice August 17. We will expect you to arrive in the afternoon and our first meal will be served that evening at the dorm.
On the 18th, you will take your physical, including the mile run, get your room and locker assignments and participate in Photographer’s Day in the afternoon. Our first practice will be on the morning of the 19th.
I am expecting you to report in top physical condition, clean-cut, smiling, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and raring to go. Also, I am expecting you to be prepared to run, hit, pitch, kick, catch, sweat, smell and enjoy it. There are no easy ways but there are ways to enjoy the journey and we must find them.
I am also expecting you to work hard, eat well, sleep well, play well, display a winning attitude at all times, be a leader and help me sell the squad on what it takes to win and enjoy the journey.
I hope you will share your problems with me whether it be at home, at the dorm, in your school work, with teammates, with coaches, with training regulations, self-discipline or even flying a kite. If you do that, I will try to help you and, if I can’t, I’ll recommend you get a job, join the Army, or join the Foreign Legion, but, in any event, to reside in another state.
Nothing’s too good for winners. I want to love you, pat you, pet you, brag on you and see you hoot, run and shout and laugh, pray, hug, kiss, and win with humility.
If we lose, I want all of us to be unhappy, no one to have any fun, and expect only what is reserved for losers but take it with dignity while planning to come back.
Please remember us to your family and make your personal plans on how you are going to reach your goal – the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Sincerely,
Paul Bryant
HT: Roll Bama Roll
