Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa is the foremost museum that celebrates the history of football at the University of Alabama. As it turns out, the museum itself has a rich history of its own.
In 1981, longtime Crimson Tide coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant mentioned that he hoped for a University of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, which led to then-University President Joab L. Thomas and Bryant discussing the possibility of such a museum. Years later, the museum would become the coach’s namesake.
Construction began in 1987, four years after the legendary coach passed away, and the museum opened on October 8, 1988. That day was chosen for a special reason: the Crimson Tide was squaring off against the Ole Miss Rebels in the annual homecoming game at nearby Bryant-Denny Stadium. Under head coach Bill Curry, Alabama was 3-0, ranked twelfth in the country, and featured future NFL players Derrick Thomas and Keith McCants. Though the day may have been a loss for the football team – as the Crimson Tide was defeated by the unranked Rebels 22-12 – the opening of the museum was certainly a win for the fans.
Emily Moore led the curating efforts for the new museum and individuals were asked to donate possessions that had historical meaning to the Alabama football program. Due to the deep respect and love for Coach Bryant, many artifacts were donated from personal, private collections.
Today, the museum boasts exhibits from the early years of the football program (just look for a football sweater from the nineteenth century) and the successful era of the 1920’s and ‘30s when the Crimson Tide put Southern football on the map with frequent trips to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca.
Most of the artifacts and information at the museum, though, are from the Bryant years (1958-1982), and there are also exhibits for every coach since Bryant—from Ray Perkins to current head coach Kalen Deboer. Fans may also enjoy a large, extensive exhibit for Nick Saban – a legend in his own right who, like Bryant, brought six national titles to the Capstone.
A stroll through the Bryant Museum, located along Bryant Drive across from Sewell-Thomas Stadium, is a delight for young and old. The museum continues to educate fans on the illustrious history of Alabama football and is a testament to the man who poured so much of his heart and soul into the program. TG
NOTE: Talegate expresses its special appreciation to Brian Mast and Brad Green at the Bryant Museum for their valuable assistance in the research for this story.
Images by Al Blanton
