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Alabama Football: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About BDS

By Meredith Hornsby

Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. A Famous Grounds Keeper

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Before he was one of the most famous coaches in the world, Alabama football’s legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant was just a walk-on trying to earn a scholarship.

Bear Bryant did accept a scholarship to play at Alabama in 1931, but prior to that, he did everything he could to prove his worth to the team. Bryant and several of his walk-on teammates did anything the coaches needed, including cutting the grass at then Denny Stadium.

The above photo of Bryant, far left, pushing a mower alongside four teammates can be seen at the Paul “Bear” Bryant Museum on Bryant Drive in Tuscaloosa. It can also be seen as part of a mural on the wall in the media areas of BDS.

Starting as a walk-on player working his tail off to earn a place on the team, Bryant had no idea that the stadium whose grass he was cutting and whose seats he was repairing would eventually be renamed in his own honor. Paul “Bear” Bryant is remembered as one of the winningest coaches- not just Alabama football, but ALL football –  of all time.

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