Pat Trammell was an amazing man. It is too bad his life was cut short at the young age of 29 due to cancer. Along with Bear Bryant he ushered in the modern era of Alabama Football.
A host of Trammell’s freshmen teammates, guys like Mal Moore and Brothers Oliver and Billy Neighbors, forever swore that during an early meeting with that freshman group, who were ineligible to play back them, Bryant had promised they would win a national championship if they’d stick through what it took to get there. Alabama went 11-0-0 in Trammell’s senior year, whipping Arkansas for the national title and Coach Bryant’s first of many.
The “bell cow” – the leader – was Pat Trammell. At 6-feet, 200 pounds, he was neither fast nor mighty but listen to what Coach Bryant said at his funeral. “He was one of those people who vibrated leadership. When he walked into a room, you knew he was the leader. You’ve seen people like that, some old, some young. They walk in and you know they are that kind of people. Pat was like that.”
“As a quarterback Pat had no great ability.” Bryant said at another point, adding famously, “All he can do is beat you.”
Trammell, a consensus All-American at Alabama, was also an Academic All-American and while starring in 26 victories as “the smartest player (Bryant) ever coached,” he played in only two games where Alabama lost. His influence over his teammates was amazing, especially with Alabama’s freshman quarterback during Trammell’s championship season – freshman Joe Namath.
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