Bear Bryant was a legend.
He didn’t just coach for Alabama, no…. he made Alabama the ultimate team to beat in the 1960s and 1970s, winning more games than any other school.
As a retired football player himself, Bear Bryant knew his way around the field. He knew the weaknesses of other teams and properly trained Alabama’s men to dominate in those particular niches.
The man in the houndstooth hat didn’t just coach football, he made a lasting impact on the sport.
As John Mckay, the former coach for USC, said, “He wasn’t just a coach. He was the coach.”
So, on the 35th anniversary of Bear Bryant’s death, it is only proper to remember him with words of wisdom from the legend himself.
1. “I’m no miracle man. I guarantee nothing but hard work.”
2. “It’s not the will to win that matters – everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”
3. “Losing doesn’t make me want to quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder.”
4. “I tell young players who want to be coaches, who think they can put up with all the headaches and heartaches, can you live without it? If you can live without it, don’t get in it.”
5. “Don’t ever give up on ability. Don’t give up on a player who has it.”
6. “When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don’t repeat it.”
7. “The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.”
8. “Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things.”
9. “You take those little rascals, talk to them good, pat them on the back, let them think they are good, and they will go out and beat the big guns.”
10. “Be aware of “yes” men. Generally, they are losers. Surround yourself with winners. Never forget – people win.”
11. “The biggest mistake coaches make is taking borderline cases and trying to save them. I’m not talking about grades now, I’m talking about character. I want to know before a boy enrolls about his home life, and what his parents want him to be.”
12. “Mama wanted me to be a preacher. I told her coachin’ and preachin’ were a lot alike.”
13. “I’ll never give up on a player regardless of his ability as long as he never gives up on himself. In time he will develop.”
14. “In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first ahead of personal glory.”
15. “Sure, I'd love to beat Notre Dame, don't get me wrong. But nothing matters more than beating that cow college on the other side of the state!”
16. "Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit."
17. "Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself."
18. "There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success."
19. "Have you called your mama today? I sure wish I could call mine.”
20. “In life, you’ll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.”
21. “In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They’re going to find you anyway.”
22. “A good, quick, small team can beat a big, slow team every time.”
23. “It’s awfully important to win with humility. It’s also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose you won’t know how to act. If you lose with humility, then you can come back.”
24. "At Alabama our players do not win Heisman Trophies, our teams win national championships."
25. "Winning isn't everything, but it beats anything that comes in second."
26. "Don't give up at halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half."
27. "There's no substitute for guts."
28. “I'll put you through hell, but at the end of it all we'll be champions.”
29. “I plan on staying at Alabama for the rest of my career. I guarantee that I'll be here for you through it all, regardless of what happens.”
30. “The fun never goes out, but it changes with the years, with winning and losing.”
31. “If a man is a quitter, I’d rather find out in practice than in a game. I ask for all a player has so I’ll know later what I can expect.”
32. “The idea of molding men means a lot to me.”
33. “I want to make sure I don't interfere with the success of that team next year. I don't see any way I could go to practice like most of 'em do, and not hurt the team. I'd go nuts if I tried doing that.”
34. “Nearly every coach I've talked with tells me that the attention you get from media and other people is the thing you miss most. I don't know if that's right.”
35. “If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, “Roll, Tide, Roll!”
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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