FOOTSTEPS
“It’s that desire to do the extra that makes him such an exceptional player”

No Alabama defender ever pursued ball carriers with more fire than Darwin Holt.

Even for the times, he was a small linebacker, standing just 5-foot-9 and weighing just 167 pounds, but when the ball was snapped, Holt played like a giant, attacking at full speed and delivering thunderous licks.

In 1961, Holt was a key figure on a punishing Alabama defense that allowed just 25 points in 11 games, staking a claim as one of the greatest units ever to play the game while helping the Crimson Tide capture Paul “Bear“ Bryant’s first national championship.

So listen closely when Holt, one of the best linebackers in Bama history, speaks admiringly of Nico Johnson, one of the latest men to follow in his footsteps.(more)

HOMETOWN HEROES
The Athens native starred for Red Drew’s Crimson Tide before becoming one of Alabama’s most successful high school coaches
** Part one of a three part series **

The thought still makes Tom Calvin laugh.

A lifetime ago, when he was growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Athens, on the same patch of dirt now occupied by the original location of Whitt’s Barbecue, Calvin spent many Saturday afternoons listening to the radio broadcasts of Frank Thomas’ powerful Alabama Crimson Tide alongside his father and three brothers.

“We were all big Alabama fans, and we’d come in from working the farm to listen to the games,” Calvin recalled. “Dad would get so mad when we’d get behind…or made a turnover or something went wrong…he’d have to go out and walk around the house.”

In time, the elder Calvin would find himself listening to the broadcasts waiting for the announcers to call his own boy’s name. (more)

KEEPING SCORE
Impress your friends and confound your rivals with these history-making numbers

Here at Crimson Replay, we spend most of our time knee deep in narrative detail, determined to tell good stories and put Alabama football history in the sort of context that can only be accomplished by probing interviews and sober analysis.

But sometimes you need a powerful stat: a digit that can be used to impress your friends, a shell of numerical ammunition for those contentious debates with rival fans.

Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got you covered.

Join us as we examine Ten Powerful Stats Every Bama Fan Should Know(more)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Warren Lyles
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Copyright 2010-2012 Dunnavant Sports Media All Rights Reserved. Crimson Replay is a magazine covering the history of Alabama football and is not affiliated with the University of Alabama.