Alabama Football

Both Bear Bryant and Nick Saban are undeniable kings of college football, two coaches at Alabama who have each won more national championships - six apiece - than anyone else in the history of the game. Chasing the Bear examines how they did it, revealing along the way their similarities in style, background, football philosophy, and recruiting methods, while providing listeners a rare inside look at two of the greatest leaders in the history of sports.

Very few institutions in American sports can match the enduring excellence of the University of Alabama football program. Across a wide swath of the last century, the tradition-rich Crimson Tide has claimed twelve national championships, captured 25 conference titles, finished 34 times among the country's top ten, and played in 53 bowl games.

Growing up, one of my favorite books was Instant Replay by the Green Bay Packer great, Jerry Kramer. The book chronicled the Packers' 1967 world championship season, based on a journal that Jerry had kept during the year. Ten years later in 1977, I was a senior on the University of Alabama football team. Our goal was to be national champions, and, just like the 1967 Green Bay Packers, it would take a lot of hard work and dedication to reach that goal. I thought maybe someone would like to listen to a similar book about a championship college team based on a journal I had kept.

To borrow the slogan offered over the Bryant-Denny Stadium public address system before the start of every Alabama home game, "This is Alabama football." Ask a fan to talk about his favorite game and he’ll probably answer, "Which season?" Ask another to describe his favorite Crimson Tide play, and he may also respond the same way. And if asking an Alabama fan to recall his favorite player, don’t be surprised if you are asked to be more specific: "Which year? Which game? Which position?" Such is the tradition and legacy of the program.

Adversity has a way of bringing out the best or worst in people. No one knows about adversity quite like Jalen Hurts. Very few people know what it’s like to go from a true Freshman starting Quarterback on a National Title Contending team, to being benched in the Championship. It’s also fair to say that no one knows how to bounce from that adversity quite like Jalen Hurts. Not only did Jalen put the team first and keep working for his teammates, but when he decided to move on he was the most explosive player in the country and won the Heisman Trophy, college football’s biggest award. ...

The story of college football in Alabama is the story of the South itself. This behind-the-scenes account of the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, one of the fiercest in American sports, details its rich history, celebrates the triumphs of both teams, and showcases the larger-than-life power of football to break down barriers and promote positive change.

Some of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks in recent memory have had remarkable simple names, like Ben, Tom, and Joe. Every now and then, one comes along with a moniker that’s a bit more difficult to handle, like Tuanigamanuolepola “Tua” Tagovailoa. Fresh from starting with the national football powerhouse, the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, it remains to be seen if Tua can comfortably join the best-ever Miami Dolphins quarterbacks, like Bob and Dan, in the record books.

As Mac Jones looked around the stadium as the confetti fell down and his teammates celebrated a dominant National Championship performance it would have been easy for him to think he had made it. In reality, Mac has been building for the ultimate challenge in football, to be an NFL starting Quarterback his whole life. Coming from an athletic family it was always clear Mac had the potential to be good, but only his drive and insatiable work ethic would determine how far he would go. In Mac Jones, we follow the path of one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL. From his trials and ...

An inspiring memoir of the star running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Pittsburgh Steelers, Najee Harris, this book tells the story of how he overcame adversity and realized his untold potential. Few players have ever been able to do what Najee Harris has done and lived up to the hype. He is simply a unique running back, one who can make any run look easy, from a 10-yard sweep to a 60-yard touchdown. In this inspirational memoir Harris tells readers about his journey—from Antioch, California, to being one of the most highly recruited RB’s in the country and eventually committed ...