The fascinating tale of Paul "Bear" Bryant's nickname

Paul “Bear” Bryant coached the Alabama Crimson Tide for 25 years, from 1958-1982 and would lead the team to six national championships during that time. The College Football Hall of Fame coach was already approaching legendary status before his arrival in Tuscaloosa after successful stints with the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies.

“The Bear” was known for his tough never quit type of attitude as a head coach, which fit his nickname and level of success well. This is portrayed well in the movie,The Junction Boys which goes through a pre-season fall camp when Bryant was coach of the Aggies.

Where did Bear Bryant’s nickname come from?

Bryant’s nickname believe it or not was given well before his career in coaching began at the age of 13. Bryant’s nickname stemmed from him agreeing to wrestle a bear during a carnival promotion in 1927 in Fordyce, Arkansas where he was from.

According to CBS Sports, “Bryant was approached by a promoter about the opportunity of a lifetime. For a dollar a minute, all he had to do was wrestle a captive bear.”

The bear’s muzzle supposedly came off during the middle of the wrestling match. Scarred and beaten, Bryant searched for the promoter after who disappeared. Bryan never received his money, but did receive his nickname , “The Bear” as a result of the tussle.

What other college coaches have nicknames?

Former Florida Gators quarterback and head coach Steve Spurrier was given the name “the ol’ ball coach,” while the late Mike Leach who coached the Mississippi State Bulldogs was given the nickname the “mad scientist.”

Unlike these two however, Bryant’s name was more of a badge of honor as it came well before his career in coaching, and makes it that much more impressive. The nickname matched his coaching style as well like no other, and he was revered by coaches and players throughout his career.