January 26, 1983

After a 21-15 victory over Illinois in the 1982 Liberty Bowl, the greatest coach in college football history stepped away from the sidelines.

His plan was to remain at the University of Alabama as athletics director while Ray Perkins became the head coach, but it wasn't going to happen. Little did everyone know that Paul "Bear" Bryant had given it his all. Not just in the game of football, but in the game of life.

Bryant went to the hospital for a checkup on Jan. 25, 1983. He came out fine, but went in again the next day. It was there, on Jan. 26, 1983, where Bryant suffered a massive heart attack and died.

The Bear was gone, but the legend remains.

Read more by Drew Champlin The Crimson White

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