The Bear whispered to this man. Then history listened.
An insightful look at Sylvester Croom, the first African-American center at the University of Alabama and one of the school's first black players. After playing for legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, then coaching under him for a decade, Croom eventually rose to become head football coach at Mississippi State University and, more importantly, the first African American head coach in the Southeastern Conference.
Acting
Terrence Howard's narration carries weight without preaching
Direction
McKelvy lets silences speak louder than archival roar
Editing
Seamless weaving of 1970s Alabama tension with present reflection
Director
Johnson McKelvy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Croom's 2004 hiring made national news, but the documentary reveals he almost quit coaching twice before accepting.
Bear Bryant's integration of Alabama football in 1971 is mythologized, but Croom's testimony suggests the locker room remained deeply segregated in practice.
US
