The 40th anniversary of Bear Bryant’s death was Thursday, a solemn day in the state of Alabama four decades later.
For those who were there, the funeral that took place two days later was unlike anything this state’s seen before or since. A scene that would rival a presidential burial, the event was covered by state, local and national news outlets.
Let’s take a look back at how the death and funeral of Alabama’s legendary football coach was covered in late January 1983.
By Alf Van Hoose, The Birmingham News
There was something magnificent in the possession of Paul William Bryant, teacher of a game to young men.
All of us owned a piece of him, like it or not, like him or not.
In his last years, in turbulent times, self-doubt rampant, he became, more than anyone, America’s folk hero.
He had been for years before that, and he sensed it, the most impelling voice in Alabama’s conscience, with his work-ethic standard, poise, fairness and class.
By Michael Wilbon, The Washington Post
At every overpass in the 51 miles between here and Birmingham along U.S. 59, they proclaimed their love today for Paul W. Bryant.
At Brookwood, they awaited the four-mile funeral procession with a banner that said, “We’ll miss you, Bear.”
Down the road at Brockton, they waved a poster that read, “Nobody did it better.” At Bucksville, 50 construction workers stopped building long enough to spray paint, “We’ll love you forever,” on a bridge. In a black section of Bessemer, youngsters held a sign saying, “Thanks for the Memories, Bear.”
By Wendell Rawls Jr, The New York Times
Thousands lined the highways from Tuscaloosa today and surrounded the gravesite here to bid a hero’s farewell to Bear Bryant, the most successful coach in college football history.
Bryant, who was 69 years old when he died of a heart attack Wednesday, was the stuff of legends and an inspiration for untold numbers of poor country boys who craved to work their way from the dirt to the pinnacle.
As a 6-foot-3 1/2-inch, 205-pound young athlete a half-century ago, he played football for the University of Alabama. After coaching at Maryland, Kentucky and Texas A&M, he returned to Alabama to coach there for the last 25 years. His combined record at the schools was 323 victories, 85 defeats and 17 ties.
Other news coverage, obituaries.
WBRC-TV in Birmingham in 2021 posted their broadcast of the funeral and procession to YouTube. It came in multiple sections.
WBRC also aired a live hour-long program the night Bryant died hosted by Herb Winches.
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January 27, 2023 at 10:10PM
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How the local, national media covered Bear Bryant’s death and funeral - AL.com
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