The traditions of Alabama football are as timeless as any in American sports. This exciting series draws together the insights from nearly 100 former players, coaches, and fans, who tell their personal stories about what being a part of this legendary football program means to them.
The University of Alabama boasts one of the nation's most storied football programs, and the recruiting acumen of coaches like Bear Bryant and Nick Saban plays a major role in that. The Road to Bama is a wild ride into the competitive world of college football recruiting, revealing how many Crimson Tide players found their way to Tuscaloosa.
In this remarkably candid book, the NFL's most colorful and controversial athlete tells his own Philadelphia story. Terrell Owens joined the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2004 season hoping to help the Eagles win the Super Bowl. The Eagles almost did it, losing a close game to the New England Patriots. TO expected to have a long and productive career in Philadelphia. But less than halfway through the 2005 season it all fell apart. TO was suspended, first for a game, then for the season, as the Eagles blamed him for a variety of infractions. Now TO speaks out about what really happened in Philadelphia. He takes readers behind the scenes -- and into the huddle -- to show how he was unfairly blamed for conduct detrimental to his team. After setting an Eagles record for touchdown receptions, TO was badly injured late in the 2004 season. Most observers thought his season was over. But TO put himself through a grueling rehab, which he describes here, to recover in time to join his teammates in the Super Bowl, turning in a remarkable performance. Convinced that the Eagles could win it all in 2005, TO became only the sixth receiver in NFL history with 100 touchdown receptions. He explains in T.O. how and why his relationship with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb deteriorated. The situation worsened when TO agreed with Michael Irvin that the Eagles would be better off with Brett Favre as their quarterback. A fight in the team locker room, where an injured TO had to defend himself, caused further friction. Before long he was suspended from the team for the entire season. TO contested his suspension and took his case before an arbitrator. In this book TO brings readers into the hearing room and shows how unfair the arbitrator's precedent-setting decision really was. The decision was so wrong that even the NFL agreed to pass a rule specifically reversing it. But T.O. is a story of triumph and dedication. TO never lost his commitment to the game, and whenever he had the chance, he performed like the sensational athlete he is. He knew he would play again, and his faith was rewarded when he signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 2006 season. Throughout his ordeal, TO remained true to himself, the same outsized personality who has rocked the NFL and become a football superstar.
Alabama’s football legends recall their greatest moments in this newly updated edition of Game of My Life Alabama Crimson Tide. From Harry Gilmer and his excellent play in the 1946 Rose Bowl to Antonio Langham’s heroics in the 1992 game against Florida that led the Crimson Tide to the Sugar Bowl, Alabama has had more than its share of great games, great players, and great moments, including its win over Clemson in the 2015 national championship. In Game of My Life Alabama Crimson Tide, Tommy Hicks takes readers behind the scenes and onto the field with some of the greatest Crimson Tide players ever. Fans will discover the simple advice and prediction head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant gave his team before the 1967 Auburn game won by quarterback Ken Stabler’s famous "run in the mud." Ken Stabler, Mike Shula, Brodie Croyle, Lee Roy Jordan, Cornelius Bennett, Billy Neighbors, Woodrow Lowe, Joey Jones, Bobby Humphrey, Greg McElroy, and many others all share their memories of the most defining, poignant, and heart-stopping games they ever played in. Game of My Life Alabama Crimson Tide highlights some of the games and moments that have added to the tradition of Alabama football.
In The Program: Alabama Crimson Tide, take a more profound and unique journey into the history of a historic team. This thoughtful and engaging collection of essays captures the astute fans' history of the celebrated program, going beyond well-worn narratives of yesteryear to uncover the less-discussed moments, decisions, people, and settings that fostered the team's iconic identity. Through wheeling and dealing, mythmaking and community building, explore where Bama football has been, how it rose to the pinnacle of college sports, and how it will continue to evolve and stay in contention for generations to come. Crimson Tide fans in the know will enjoy this personal, local, in-depth look at team history.
Since the inception of the Alabama football program in 1892, Crimson Tide has claimed 14 National Championship titles, all of which are explored in this guide. The book zeros in on critical moments, such as when running back Mark Ingram became the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2009, despite the team being led to six championships from 1958 to 1982 by the celebrated coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, as well as key figures from the college's history. This updated version includes highlights from the 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015 championship seasons.
There are some women who don’t have a desire to get married and have children. However, Samantha was not one of them. Many women in their late 30s and early 40s postpone marriage or childbearing to obtain their education, establish their careers, and become financially secure. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to difficulties in finding Mr. Right or conceiving (or both). This can be an arduous and heartbreaking time of life, when it seems lifelong hopes and dreams of family may not be possible. Samantha delayed marriage until the age of 36 after she’d pursued advanced degrees and established her career—not entirely by choice since Mr. Right hadn’t entered her life sooner. At times she wondered if it would ever happen. Once married, she and her husband wanted kids right away, only to suffer a miscarriage and the devastating diagnosis of infertility. In this book, Samantha shares her extraordinary journey of hope. You will discover how her faith in God and perseverance led her to the right husband and overcoming infertility to have their first baby at 40. Don’t give up on your dreams, whatever they are. You still have time. Author Dr. Samantha Fitts is an educator/specialist (special education, literacy, education leadership, and adult learning), professional development presenter, and motivator. She has been in education for over twenty years. She is extremely passionate about helping others reach their professional and personal goals in life. For more information, visit www.samanthafitts.com