An American Controversy: The Legend of Bear Bryant, Fact or Fiction?

So much has been written and said regarding this American Icon that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The following is taken from quoted and misquoted items during his career.

1) Bryant's nickname came from the fact that he once wrestled a bear.

True, at age 13 Paul Bryant agreed to wrestle a bear. He was to be paid one dollar for this but the circus promoter fled without paying. The bear bit Bryant on the ear.

2) Bryant had not finished High School at the time he entered the University of Alabama as a player. 

True, he did not finish with his High School class in 1931 so he enrolled at a local Tuscaloosa High School while a freshman at the University. He obtained his diploma while practicing with the Alabama football team and taking college freshman classes.

3) Bryant never considered taking a "pro" job.

False, in 1969 he gave heavy thought to accepting a 1.7 million dollar offer to coach the Miami Dolphins. He turned it down and the Dolphins hired Don Shula. Years later Don Shula's son Mike would become the quarterback at Alabama and later the head coach.

4) Although Bryant was an admitted heavy drinker it was never a problem for him.

False, in the spring of 1978 Bryant checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation clinic. One month after finishing his program, he went back to drinking. Later that year he won the national championship and repeated the following season.

5) Bryant was never an assistant coach.

False, Bear was an assistant at Vanderbilt, as well as Alabama.

6) The Bear never had a losing season.

False, Bryant was 1-9 at Texas A&M in 1954.

7) Bryant was head coach only at Alabama, Texas A&M, and Kentucky.

False, he was head coach at Maryland in the beginning of his career.

8) Following Bryant's retirement he enjoyed a long and healthy separation from the game he loved.

False, he died of natural causes 28 days after leaving the job.

9) Bryant handed a young Steve Spurrier his first defeat as quarterback of Florida.

True, in 1964 Florida was an undefeated team led by Sophomore QB Steve Spurrier until they lost 17-14 to Alabama halfway through the season.

10) The Bear lost the final game he coached in Tuscaloosa.

True, Southern Mississippi defeated Alabama 38-29 in Tuscaloosa in Bryant's final home game. 

11) Bryant won every home game played in Tuscaloosa from 1963 till 1982.

True, as incredible as it sounds, following a 10-6 loss to Florida in 1963 the Crimson Tide won every game played in Tuscaloosa until the final home game of Bryant's life in 1982. A 19-year run that may never be equaled. 

Stories of the man come and go. At times the truth is stranger than fiction.

Larger than life, he is best summarized by former Southern California head coach John McKay.

When informed of his passing, McKay remarked "he wasn't just a coach, he was THE coach."