Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of Bear Bryant’s death. I’ve always felt that, in a certain sense, when Bo Jackson went over the top, he effectively drove the final nail into Bryant’s coffin, so to speak — sounds crass, but if you accept the notion that Bryant was a dead-man walking without the fire of football to keep him warm (after predicting it’d take a week, he died 28 days after coaching his last game), and if, as John Forney claimed, Bryant was “exhausted and despondent” the Sunday after his last Iron Bowl, a game won by Bo Jackson, a recruit he couldn’t land, then it’s not that much of a stretch. Bryant’s retirement from coaching wasn’t reported until two weeks after the Auburn game. While his health factored significantly, in announcing his decision he cited his poor coaching throughout the ’82 regular season, which ended in three straight losses. The Iron Bowl was the capper. So basically, the events leading up to and hastening Bryant’s death were literally the end of one era and the start of another, which brings us to our question:
Can anyone tell me what two blue-chip recruits committed to Auburn the very day that Bear Bryant died? There were actually three, but I’m looking for the two big names.
I’ll think of some sort of prize and mail it to you. Or perhaps you’d rather simply settle for your name in the glorious lights of The War Eagle Reader? Totally your call. So c’mon, lets see some comments. Think dammit! These guys were big Auburn stars, and here’s a hint: the answer can be found in a story by Charles Hollis in the Jan. 27th, 1983 edition of The Birmingham News. Page 4-B.
Inferiority complex takes you to new, and even more classless heights than ever before!
But I guess, one victory of a player going “over the top” makes up for the fact that this coach was 19-6 against little stepsister.
By the way, Bo Jackson has said on NUMEROUS accounts “I wanted to play for Alabama, but Coach Bryant told me I’d have to wait until my junior year before I could play.” Then little stepsister was waiting with open arms to take him in.
Like nearly every player on your guys’ team, all of them WANTED to play for Alabama, but couldn’t. That’s why you’ll forever be known for recruiting the “Alabama rejects.”
But what about, “Wrong way, Bo”? Or, “Gene Stallings sending Pat Dye into retirement”? Or even in modern day times, “Nick Saban exposing Tuberneck for what he truly was: The mediocre loser from Ole Miss whose best years, ironically enough, came during Alabama’s worst.” It’s a shame his lack of guts led him to retire early, just so he could leave his legacy behind, rather than sticking around and losing game after game.
It’s easy to win when you primary competition is under the NCAA belt, changing head coaches every 2-3 years, and having Mike Shula at the helm.
Payback is coming and I can’t wait!
Auburn beat Bama under NCAA sanctions with Terry Bowden at the helm. Try again.