Sport: Biggest Bear in the Briar Patch

Coach Bryant tries for another national title for Alabama

There are no reliable witnesses left, as is usually the case with the stuff of legends, so no one really knows how young Paul William Bryant fared against that carny bear in Fordyce, Ark. Some say he lasted the $5 limit, at a dollar per minute, and collected his money; others insist that the scrawny old beast tossed the local boy off the stage of the Lyric Theater in short order. Bryant claims he has the scars to prove he was there, but the only thing...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!