Paul "Bear" Bryant, who compiled the "winningest" record his sport has ever known, died January 26, 1983 just weeks after announcing his retirement as head football coach at the University of Alabama. He was 69.
Bryant had been admitted to Druid City Hospital the day before, complaining of chest pains. On the day he died he was reported by doctors to be in good condition. He joked about going to Las Vegas and said that one thing he wanted to do was go back to Arkansas and do some duck hunting.
Bryant suffered "a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest" only moments after appearing in good spirits and joking with the nurses, the attending physician said.
His sudden death stunned all who knew him.
One of his star quarterbacks, Steve Sloan, said, "The thing I'm saddest about was that he was looking forward to having some time on his own to hunt and fish and play golf. He just wanted to spend some time doing things that he wanted to enjoy."
In all the news accounts you won't find one that says that Bear Bryant was planning to die on Wednesday, January 26, 1983. Instead, he had many other plans.
We know how good he was at preparing for each game, but was he prepared to meet God? More importantly now, are YOU prepared?
How many plans that you have made would be interrupted if YOU suddenly died today?
If Bear Bryant didn't prepare for eternity before he died, it's too late for him to do anything about it today. But YOU still have time to prepare. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Salvation is simplicity at its best: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).