Museum details winning tradition

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WALA) - In Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s legendary coaches are made into statues. Championship rings and trophies are polished and placed behind glass cases. For the Crimson Tide, winning is cherished.

“They say that in some places football is just a sport. It’s a saying, you know, here in Alabama, it is a way of life. And it is because it is 365 days a year,” said Alabama fan, Mike Anders.

Alabama’s football history is on display at the Paul Bryant Museum. Museum Director Ken Gaddy said Alabama’s love for football has been around a long time.

“It’s been going on since the 1920s. The first trip to the Rose Bowl in the 20s, national championships in the 20s, 30s …dominating the 60s and the 70s. That's one of the things we need to remember, it’s not just today; it's a long, long history and tradition here on campus,” said Gaddy.

Even Norte Dame has a place in Alabama’s history books. Alabama Coach Frank Thomas graduated from Notre Dame. He coached “The Bear” back in the 30s and his Notre Dame monogram pin is in the museum.

The museum’s archive room holds thousands of reel featuring hundreds of games. Including 1986, Notre Dame vs. Alabama—The tides only win against the fighting Irish. One play stands out amongst the rest.  . Alabama’s Cornelius Bennett sacked Steve Beuerlein and it changed the whole energy, some say destiny, of the game.  Alabama won, 28-10.

Photos: Paul "Bear" Bryant Museum

It was the sack heard around the world and true to both Norte Dame and Alabama fashion, the moment ended up in the Bryant museum as a painting documenting history between two legendary teams.

“But the artist wanted you to know that it was actually a fumble even though it wasn't called that way on the field. So he painted the ball coming out so you can see that ball was actually a fumble even though it wasn't called,” said Gaddy.

For the Alabama fans who remember the losses against Norte Dame, this year’s match-up cannot come soon enough.

“I remember the losses and everything when they were going for the championship and I was really looking forward to a W this time,” said Anders.

And for the rest of the crimson nation, they hope to witness another championship for the history books.