Alabama Crimson Tide ‘Superfan’ Walt Gary passed away on Thursday at the age of 36. His story transcends being a fan and the sports that drive our passions.
It is an old but true refrain that sport touches lives in powerful ways. It is not always a certain sport or coach or player that resonates most powerfully with others. Sometimes it comes down to a person with little fame or notoriety who makes a deep connection with others.
Walt Gary was such a guy. By any measurement, he was no average fan. He loved the University of Alabama and its sports teams. His Crimson Tide passion knew no bounds. His optimistic view of life drove him to ALWAYS expect the Alabama Crimson Tide to win.
Walt Gary could have easily chosen to focus his mind on his own challenges. He had Down syndrome. The condition caused him to have four open-heart surgeries. By all accounts, he never gave in to feeling sorry for himself. He embraced life and connecting with others.
Gary starting attending Alabama football practices when Gene Stallings was the head coach. Just like Stallings’ son, John Mark who also had Down’s, the Alabama Crimson Tide was Walt’s passion. For over a decade he worked at the Alabama Supe Store, gladly selling Alabama Crimson Tide apparel.
Walt had a game prediction he shared every week with Alabama football coaches. He never predicted an Alabama Crimson Tide loss.
In 2017, Southern Living profiled Walt and named him the Crimson Tide’s No. 1 fan. Check out a video below from the magazines’ profile.
Walt Gary died Thursday at the age of 36. Walt Gary’s story is a tribute to him and a reminder to the rest of us being special is not about championships and awards. It is about touching and positively impacting the lives of others.
Check out these tweets.
https://twitter.com/christianmillr/status/1137013745413251074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1137013745413251074&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege-football%2F2019%2F06%2F07%2Fwalt-gary-death-alabama-crimson-tide
https://twitter.com/1j_reed/status/1137022802492416000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1137022802492416000&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege-football%2F2019%2F06%2F07%2Fwalt-gary-death-alabama-crimson-tide
Heartbroken to hear of Walt’s passing. Every Thursday, I looked forward to seeing him as we left the facility and always enjoyed his predictions. His joy and spirit were contagious. We will miss you, Walt. #RIPWalt #RollTideWalt https://t.co/9uiswVJuMv
— Greg McElroy (@GregMcElroy) June 7, 2019
Nick Saban released the statement below,
Thursdays will never be the same.
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) June 7, 2019
Rest In Peace, Walt. pic.twitter.com/ipjxgkrnEn
Walt could have chosen a sour outlook on life. He chose the opposite. He was strongly buttressed by a loving family and a faith in God’s plan for his life. He also had a sense of humor.
Saddened to hear that Walt Gary passed away today. He was a true light and a joy to be around. It was just a few weeks ago when Walt left me one of my best memories of him. The nurse asked “are you allergic to anything?” He said back, “yes mam, the Auburn Tigers.” #RIPWalt pic.twitter.com/vvY5z3JvAU
— Mac Hereford (@Mac_Hereford) June 7, 2019
RIP Walt. Many of us Alabama Crimson Tide fans never knew you, but we are kindred spirits. We, too, are allergic to the Auburn Tigers. We admire your passion for the team you loved and even more, we admire your passion for a life making an impact on others.