Description:

Paul "Bear" Bryant
[Tuscaloosa, AL], October 9, 1978
Paul Bryant PSA GEM MT 10 TLS Re: 1978 Season, Mentioning 7 Players & 5 Away Games Leading Up To Triumphant Sugar Bowl Win
TLS

A 1p typed letter signed by Paul "Bear" Bryant (1913-1983), then in his role as University of Alabama Athletic Director and head football coach, as "Paul Bryant" at lower left, above his additional signature IN PRINT as "Paul Bryant, AD." October 9, 1978. [Tuscaloosa, Alabama.] Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded GEM MT 10. Typed on "The University of Alabama / Department of Athletics / University, Alabama 35486" letterhead, and featuring a huge University of Alabama seal watermark measuring 3.75" diameter. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. With a closed tear, small area of loss, and present staple near the upper left corner. Else near fine. The actual size of the letter is 7.25" x 10" while the slab measures 9.625" x 13.125" x .25."

Coach "Bear" Bryant addressed this letter to C.D. Tatum, Jr., business manager of the University of Alabama Athletic Department, under the subject line: "Personal Ticket Allotment, 1978 Season." In the letter, Bryant tallies the number of tickets which were distributed to seven 1978-1979 season football players, including: offensive tackle Bill Searcey, tight-end Bob Cayavec, defensive back Tommy Wilcox, full-back Charlie Williams, linebacker Robbie Jones, defensive tackle Joe Beazley, and an unidentified player named Palmer.

Bryant also mentions by name five away game sites, including Washington, where the Crimson Tide had played on October 7th; Florida, where the team would play on October 14th; Tennessee, where the team would play on October 21st; VPI [today called Virginia Tech, where the team would play on October 28th; and Mississippi State, where the team would play on November 4th. During its 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season, the University of Alabama achieved 11 wins, becoming SEC champions and continuing on to seize the national championship at the Sugar Bowl in January 1979.

Paul Bryant served as the head coach of the University of Alabama football team from 1958 until his retirement in 1982. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986, in recognition of his lifetime commitment to football, both as a player and a coach. Under Bryant's leadership, the Crimson Tide won six national championships and 14 conference titles.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: slabbed: 9.625" x 13.125" x .25"
  • Medium: TLS

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