Since it is Halloween and because I'm feeling more gutted than the two pumpkins sitting on my front porch, I thought I would give you the most frightening thing I've spotted over the course of the year. Ladies and gents, the man you see above is a true, unadulterated fanatic, Mr. Nathan Davis, formerly of Dothan, Alabama, now of Fort Collins, Colorado. For those of you not schooled in the ways of Deep South college football, that image on his back happens to be Paul "Bear" Bryant, the legendary coach of the University of Alabama and distant relative of yours truly. And it's not just the tat that gives Mr. Davis that frightening to the point of terrifying appeal. That happens when he explains his love of Alabama football and the Bear. A few select quotes:
"My co-workers and people at the gym are like, 'Why would you put a picture of another man on your body?'," Davis says. "And I'm like, 'That is not just another man. He is a disciple to me.' People don't understand. It's a religion."
"They showed a picture of Bear Bryant, and my grandfather said, `That's one of the greatest men to ever walk this earth beside Jesus Christ and General (Robert E.) Lee," Davis recalls. "Then I heard the coach talk, and I fell in love. I'll never forget it."
"I got divorced, and I would say 50 percent of that was because of my love of football," he says. "She couldn't take Alabama; she couldn't take football. And it is my life."
"One of these local Colorado men asked me, 'What has UA ever done for you?'," he says. "I thought on it for a second and said, 'Sir, my mama always told me it doesn't make a difference how you find God, as long as you find him. And through UA, Bear Bryant, and Van Tiffin, I have found God.'
"He then said, 'You people from the South are weird.'"
Seriously, if you see this man heading down your driveway to collect Halloween candy (I suspect he'll be wearing a houndstooth hat), lock your door.
{via}
I read recently about a Raiders fan who has a tattoo of Al Davis on his chest, from collarbone to navel. At least the guy with the Bear Bryant one doesn't have to look at Bear's ugly mug every time he steps out of the shower.
Posted by: Pete | October 31, 2006 at 03:31 PM
Have you read Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer? I'm surprised this guy wasn't in there. (Excellent book, btw.)
Posted by: Becky | October 31, 2006 at 04:26 PM
Becky, I got the story from Warren St. John's blog. He wrote the book. I, however, being the Auburn fan that I am, cannot bring myself to read it. Yet.
Pete, I agree.
Posted by: Jeff | October 31, 2006 at 04:30 PM
I own and wear a houndstooth hat.
Posted by: Varg | November 01, 2006 at 05:50 PM
Nothing wrong with a houndstooth hat. It's really the only reason to watch an Alabama football game: Co-eds in houndstooth hats...'nuff said.
Posted by: Jeff | November 01, 2006 at 06:09 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, if I have to explain it to you, then you truly don't understand. I do not wish anyone ill will. This is the way I show my love, the othe 14 large tats that you don't see in the photo.
I'll be there for the Iron Bowl, trying to show not only respect for our foe, but and example of how sportmanship truly is.
Nathan
Posted by: I'm That Alabama Fan :-) | November 13, 2006 at 07:12 AM
I actually own two houndstooth hats. The first one I found in the ladies' section of a thrift store. The second, I bought on sale at a specialty hat shop in San Francisco's Mission district.
Posted by: GOpal | November 14, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Hey MR.Davis
Ilove the tattoos i have a houndstooth circle with a crimson A in it. I took a pic with you at A-Day this year.I love ALABAMA football with a passion.I actually met one of Bear Bryants 1961 football players this weekend named DUFF MORRISION. Im having a Alabama wedding on June 14 2008.Your invited. Im actually trying to decide what great play i would like to have tattooed on me.Your help would be great. Who would know better than you about the great plays.please write back. nice talking to you.
Posted by: Jared | May 20, 2008 at 09:11 PM