Pat Trammell
Encyclopedia
Patrick Lee Trammell was an All-America
n quarterback
for the University of Alabama
from 1958 until 1961. In his senior year, he led the Crimson Tide to a perfect season of 11-0-0 and Alabama subsequently won the NCAA National Championship
for 1961. On December 10, 1968, he died from metastatic testicular cancer
at age 28, shortly after earning his M.D.
degree.
as the middle son of a prominent local physician, Dr. Edward Lee Trammell. He quickly excelled both in academics and athletics. He was the starting quarterback in Varsity Football at Scottsboro High School where he earned All-County, All-State, All-Southern and All-American honors during his four year prep career. He was also named most valuable basketball
player in state of Alabama as a high school senior.http://www.scottsborowildcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=76
's announcement that he planned to return to his alma mater
to take over as head coach of the ailing football program. Trammell's family recalls a personal visit at the time and an embellished 'pep talk' from Coach Bryant saying that, "if you'll commit to Alabama, then I'll come back to Alabama." Trammell had actually planned to attend Georgia Tech, after being heavily recruited by head coach Bobby Dodd
but at this point, made a career altering decision that would change the rest of his life.
Bryant's influence would once again bring the program into the national spotlight and Trammell was his first star player. As a sophomore, in 1959, Trammell led Alabama in total offense and then led in total scoring in the 1960 season, including a win against the Fran Tarkenton
-led Georgia Bulldogs. Coach Bryant had promised the team in 1958 that they would win a national championship within four years, if they could 'stick it out', as told by team-mates Billy Neighbors
, Bill Oliver
and Mal Moore
. After being named SEC champions in 1960, his bold prediction soon would become mysteriously true. The following year, Trammell would lead the team to a perfect season and ultimately to a NCAA National Championship for 1961 (AP, UPI, NFF - unanimous), which was the first in 16 years for Alabama.
On December 5, 1961, at the National Football Foundation's reception in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, with President John F. Kennedy
, Coach Bryant and Pat Trammell together proudly accepted the MacArthur Trophy
on (black & white) national television in recognition of Alabama's perfect season and championship. The black tie event was hosted by Bob Hope
and was attended by General Douglas MacArthur
, Vince Lombardi
, head coach of the Green Bay Packers (under whom, ironically, at the time was NFL quarterback great and Alabama Alumni Bart Starr
who subsequently led the Packers to a 1961 NFL Championship), Sidney L. James, the founding editor and publisher of Sports Illustrated
and dozens of other College Football Hall of Fame Inductees. (Of interest, a similar semi-fictional scene was digitally remastered in Winston Groom
's film, Forrest Gump
, in 1994, with President John F. Kennedy
digitally morphed into the set with Tom Hanks
, who played Forrest Gump
, a celebrated (fictional) Alabama football player, who had accepted a handshake from the President and was asked "how does it feel to be an All-American?". Winston Groom had been a freshman at the University of Alabama in 1961 during this time period.)
After realizing Bryant's prophecy from 1958 in the undefeated 11-0-0 Championship season of 1961, and after winning the Sugar Bowl, the National Championship and the MacArthur Bowl Trophy, multiple awards and recognitions followed suit (the following is a partial list). Pat Trammell was selected NCAA Academic All-American, was named the 1961 SEC Most Valuable Player, All-SEC (First Team) Back of 1961 season (AP, UPI) and All-SEC Academic Selection. He was voted as the 1961 Collegiate Player of the year by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta. He was chosen as the 1961 Most Valuable Back by the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club. He was chosen to receive the Most Valuable Player Award for 1961 by the Nashville Banner. He was 5th runner up in the vote for the Heisman Trophy
. Although the Birmingham Touchdown Club SEC player of the year award did not begin until 1979, he has been publicly honored and recognized by this organization on multiple occasions. By becoming the permanent 1961 team Captain, Pat Trammell had his hand prints and cleat-prints stamped into the Walk of Fame as "the most outstanding player of 1961" on the ingress of Denny Chimes
on the Quad at the University.
Vince Lombardi
would pressure Coach Bryant to persuade Pat to come to play for him with the Green Bay Packers
after graduation. Coach Bryant responded that "Pat is too smart to play professional football ... he will go on to medical school to fulfill his personal goals." Pat had majored in Physical Chemistry in the department of Chemical Engineering and graduated magna cum laude in the top of his class.
Teammate Billy Neighbors
(’59-’61) would later say that Pat Trammell was the "smartest and best football player I'd ever played with .... period. And I played with some great players, like Bob Griese
and Babe Parelli. Pat Trammell was still the smartest football player .....it was just the way he ran the team, the offense."
In one poll, the 1961 University of Alabama football team has been voted into first place as "the Best All-Time SEC football team" to ever play for the SEC.http://www.secsportsfan.com/best-all-time-sec-football-team.html. To have turned around a decade of losing streaks from scratch and collectively outscore their opponents 297 to 25, Coach Bryant and this team have been thought to have pioneered the revolutionary turning point for the modern day University of Alabama football championship dynasty.http://www.secsportsfan.com/best-all-time-ncaa-college-football-team.html. Coach Bryant would go on to win his first (of three) National Coach of the Year Award for 1961.
in 1994, with a 35–2–1 record for a 0.934 winning percentage. Jay Barker would be later awarded the prestigious Pat Trammell Award.
Currently, Trammell still holds two records at the University. Having thrown only two interceptions in 1960 from 133 passes is currently the lowest interception percentage at just 1.5%, setting the single season record. He also holds the career record for lowest interception percentage, throwing only four in 225 passes (1.8%).
! rowspan=2|Season
! colspan=5|Passing
! rowspan=6|
! colspan=4|Rushing>
! Att !! Yards !! Avg !! TD>
| 21–49 > 293
42.9
1
525
3.4
2
| 21–43 > 303
48.8
0
315
4.1
4
| 75–133 > 1,035
56.4
8
279
3.7
9
! 117–225 !! 1,631 !! 52.0 !! 9 !! 4
! 307 !! 1,119 !! 3.6 > 15
testicular cancer
at the age of 28 - only two years after earning his M.D.
degree from the Medical College of Alabama, now known as the University of Alabama School of Medicine
. He was just completing a residency in Dermatology and would plan to continue practicing medicine as a third generation doctor. With his tragic death, he left behind his beloved wife and two young children.
At his funeral, thousands attended the services, all ranging from dignitaries to those who had never met him, but whose lives were touched and inspired by him. With kindness and respect, Auburn University's Head Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan put rivalry aside to attend the service. Condolences flooded in from around the state and the country, including personal letters and telegrams from Governor George Wallace
, Governor Albert Brewer
, Governor Jim Folsom
, Congressman Robert E. Jones, Jr.
and acting US President Richard Nixon
. A Resolution from the Alabama State House of Representatives was written into law acknowledging the tragic loss. The following is an excerpt of the eloquent eulogy at his funeral by the reigning president of the University of Alabama:
Afterward, with tears streaming down his face, tough, tenatious Paul "Bear" Bryant escorted Pat's mother out of the standing room only church in Scottsboro. This is reported to be the only time that Coach Bryant had ever been seen weeping in public.
In Bryant's autobiography
The Bear, he stated that the day Pat died was "the saddest day of my life."
After Coach Bryant celebrated his 300th college football victory, in 1980, a reprint of an interview by author Clyde Bolton was published in the The Birmingham News when he was reflecting back on his success as a football coach, leader and mentor. During this interview he was put on the spot and asked indirectly if he had a 'favorite player.' Coach Bryant named off a number of players that he thought highly of during the previous 22 years at Alabama and during his 30 year coaching career. He took a pause at that point and said, " [now] You'll have to forgive me here for getting sentimental." [sic] He then responded in turn with a direct and deliberate answer to the question, as was quoted in the October 6 edition, " .... Pat Trammell was [not just my favorite player, but] the favorite person...... of my entire life."
as Bear Bryant and Jon-Erik Hexum
playing Pat Trammell). Colorful 'stories about Pat' seem to surface on a regular basis even still.
The following is a list of the many recognitions, endowments, scholarships and honors that have been made through the years and continue presently.
In 1968, in the year prior to his unexpected death, Pat Trammell was elected as Alumni President of the University of Alabama letterman's A-Club, but would never serve. http://www.rolltide.com/aclub/aclub-history.html
Subsequently, the Alabama A-Club Educational and Charitable Foundation was established three weeks after Pat's death on December 31, 1968 by his teammates, Tommy Brooker, James A. Sharpe, Joseph K. Sims, and Billy Neighbors
. Coach Bryant and the team recognized the need for a charitable program that would lend support to the families and children of former University of Alabama football players in times of need. An initial contribution of $1,000,000 was set up by Coach Bryant with Pat's family and children in mind. The A-Club Foundation has evolved into a world class charitable support system for the University of Alabama Department of Athletics that lives on today. Similar generous scholarship programs are now banned by the NCAA, but Coach Bryant's "A-Club" has been granted unique privileges and has been legally grandfathered forth-going.
In 1971, just after the completion of the new football stadium in Pat's hometown of Scottsboro, Alabama, it was named and dedicated as " Trammell Stadium " http://www.scottsborowildcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=73
In 1975, Pat Trammell was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
. http://www.ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&srctype=display&id=136&submenu=Inductees&view=company_detail
In 2009, the theatrical performance of Bear Country http://blog.al.com/aharvey/2009/08/bear_country_tackles_story_of.html starring Rodney Clark as Coach Bryant, drew unexpected popularity. During the true to life play, Coach Bryant is approaching retirement and reflects back over his life and career. Recent interest has been drawn, that, of the hundreds of players that he had coached and known so well over 45 years, he would only mention one by name. A dramatic and emotional scene in the play about his inner regard for Pat Trammell ensued. This was another glimpse into the bond and mutual respect that was stronger and deeper than many had always understood. It has been said that losing Pat was so emotionally devastating for Coach Bryant that it was as if he had lost his own son.
Beginning in 2008, a Sports Medicine Fellowship and Chair in recognition of Dr. Pat Trammell have been endowed at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Campus, between the College of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://ourstudentsourfuture.ua.edu/medic.html As described by the University of Alabama Athletic Director, Mal Moore, the 'Dr. Patrick Lee Trammell, Sr., Excellence in Sports Medicine Program' promotes specialized Sports Medicine education, on-the-field 'hands-on' training, and practical experience for future Sports Medicine Team Physicians. http://cchs.ua.edu/fm/sports-medicine/endowed-chair-sports-medicine. The first resident physician has now been awarded the fellowship and entered the program in June 2010. http://www.cchs.ua.edu/dean/fellowship.php The following is the list of recipients of the endowed Dr. Patrick Lee Trammell, Sr., Excellence in Sports Medicine Fellowship:
2010 Dr. Ray Stewart
2011 Dr. Eric Law
Also, every year forthgoing, during the University of Alabama football players Senior's Banquet, toward the end of the season, the prestigious and coveted Pat Trammell Award is presented by the Alumni Association and Department of Athletics to an outstanding Alabama football player who demonstrates the merit, leadership and character that are representative of Pat Trammell himself. The following is the partial list of recipients:
1988 David Smith
1989 John Mangum
1990 Roger Shultz
1991 Kevin Turner
1992 George Wilson
1993 Tobie Sheils
1994 Jay Barker
1995 John Walters
1996 John Causey
1997 Curtis Alexander
1998 John David Phillips
1999 Shaun Alexander
2000 Paul Hogan
2001 Andrew Zow
2002 Sam Collins
2004 Antonio Carter http://www.uajeffco.org/body.cfm?id=47
2005 Matt Miller http://www.uajeffco.org/Body.cfm?id=66
2006 Tim Castille http://www.uajeffco.org/body.cfm?id=99
2007 Keith Saunders and Matt Caddell http://www.uajeffco.org/Body.cfm?id=109
2008 Bobby Greenwood and Travis McCall http://crimsonconfidential.com/news/articles/2008/12/7/caldwell-johnson-wilson-named-permanent-team-captains-at-alabama-football-banquet
2009 Drew Davis and Cory Reamer http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120609aac.html
2010 Preston Dial and David Ross http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120610aad.html
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the University of Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
from 1958 until 1961. In his senior year, he led the Crimson Tide to a perfect season of 11-0-0 and Alabama subsequently won the NCAA National Championship
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
for 1961. On December 10, 1968, he died from metastatic testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
at age 28, shortly after earning his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree.
Early life
Pat Trammell was born in Scottsboro, AlabamaScottsboro, Alabama
Scottsboro is a city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 14,770. Named for its founder Robert Scott, the city is the county seat of Jackson County....
as the middle son of a prominent local physician, Dr. Edward Lee Trammell. He quickly excelled both in academics and athletics. He was the starting quarterback in Varsity Football at Scottsboro High School where he earned All-County, All-State, All-Southern and All-American honors during his four year prep career. He was also named most valuable basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in state of Alabama as a high school senior.http://www.scottsborowildcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=76
Playing career
His football career at Alabama began just prior to Paul "Bear" BryantBear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
's announcement that he planned to return to his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
to take over as head coach of the ailing football program. Trammell's family recalls a personal visit at the time and an embellished 'pep talk' from Coach Bryant saying that, "if you'll commit to Alabama, then I'll come back to Alabama." Trammell had actually planned to attend Georgia Tech, after being heavily recruited by head coach Bobby Dodd
Bobby Dodd
Robert Lee Dodd was an American college football coach at Georgia Tech. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player and coach, something that only three people have accomplished....
but at this point, made a career altering decision that would change the rest of his life.
Bryant's influence would once again bring the program into the national spotlight and Trammell was his first star player. As a sophomore, in 1959, Trammell led Alabama in total offense and then led in total scoring in the 1960 season, including a win against the Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
-led Georgia Bulldogs. Coach Bryant had promised the team in 1958 that they would win a national championship within four years, if they could 'stick it out', as told by team-mates Billy Neighbors
Billy Neighbors
William Wesley "Billy" Neighbors is a former American football guard who played in the American Football League from . He played college football at the University of Alabama where he was an All-American, and was selected in sixth round of the 1962 AFL Draft...
, Bill Oliver
Bill Oliver
-External links:...
and Mal Moore
Mal Moore
Mal M. Moore is the current Director of Athletics for the University of Alabama. On November 23, 1999, he was hired to his current position after spending almost thirty years in other areas with the university...
. After being named SEC champions in 1960, his bold prediction soon would become mysteriously true. The following year, Trammell would lead the team to a perfect season and ultimately to a NCAA National Championship for 1961 (AP, UPI, NFF - unanimous), which was the first in 16 years for Alabama.
On December 5, 1961, at the National Football Foundation's reception in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, with President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Coach Bryant and Pat Trammell together proudly accepted the MacArthur Trophy
MacArthur Trophy
The MacArthur Trophy is a trophy awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the NCAA Division I-FBS college football team or teams determined to be the national champion. There is only one trophy itself, much like the Stanley Cup, and it is kept by the winning institution for one year...
on (black & white) national television in recognition of Alabama's perfect season and championship. The black tie event was hosted by Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
and was attended by General Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
, Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
, head coach of the Green Bay Packers (under whom, ironically, at the time was NFL quarterback great and Alabama Alumni Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
who subsequently led the Packers to a 1961 NFL Championship), Sidney L. James, the founding editor and publisher of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
and dozens of other College Football Hall of Fame Inductees. (Of interest, a similar semi-fictional scene was digitally remastered in Winston Groom
Winston Groom
Winston F. Groom, Jr. is an American novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for his book Forrest Gump, which was adapted into a film in 1994.- Life :...
's film, Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
, in 1994, with President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
digitally morphed into the set with Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, who played Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump (character)
Forrest Gump is a fictional character who first appears in the 1986 eponymous novel by Winston Groom. Forrest Gump also appeared on screen in the 1994 film of the same name directed by Robert Zemeckis. Gump was portrayed as a child by Michael Humphreys and portrayed as an adult by Tom Hanks, who...
, a celebrated (fictional) Alabama football player, who had accepted a handshake from the President and was asked "how does it feel to be an All-American?". Winston Groom had been a freshman at the University of Alabama in 1961 during this time period.)
After realizing Bryant's prophecy from 1958 in the undefeated 11-0-0 Championship season of 1961, and after winning the Sugar Bowl, the National Championship and the MacArthur Bowl Trophy, multiple awards and recognitions followed suit (the following is a partial list). Pat Trammell was selected NCAA Academic All-American, was named the 1961 SEC Most Valuable Player, All-SEC (First Team) Back of 1961 season (AP, UPI) and All-SEC Academic Selection. He was voted as the 1961 Collegiate Player of the year by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta. He was chosen as the 1961 Most Valuable Back by the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club. He was chosen to receive the Most Valuable Player Award for 1961 by the Nashville Banner. He was 5th runner up in the vote for the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
. Although the Birmingham Touchdown Club SEC player of the year award did not begin until 1979, he has been publicly honored and recognized by this organization on multiple occasions. By becoming the permanent 1961 team Captain, Pat Trammell had his hand prints and cleat-prints stamped into the Walk of Fame as "the most outstanding player of 1961" on the ingress of Denny Chimes
Denny Chimes
The Denny Chimes is a tall campanile equipped with a 25-bell carillon, located on the south side of The Quad of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama U.S.A.. The tower was named in honor of former University president George H. Denny, who served from 1912 to 1936 and again in 1941...
on the Quad at the University.
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
would pressure Coach Bryant to persuade Pat to come to play for him with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
after graduation. Coach Bryant responded that "Pat is too smart to play professional football ... he will go on to medical school to fulfill his personal goals." Pat had majored in Physical Chemistry in the department of Chemical Engineering and graduated magna cum laude in the top of his class.
Teammate Billy Neighbors
Billy Neighbors
William Wesley "Billy" Neighbors is a former American football guard who played in the American Football League from . He played college football at the University of Alabama where he was an All-American, and was selected in sixth round of the 1962 AFL Draft...
(’59-’61) would later say that Pat Trammell was the "smartest and best football player I'd ever played with .... period. And I played with some great players, like Bob Griese
Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
and Babe Parelli. Pat Trammell was still the smartest football player .....it was just the way he ran the team, the offense."
In one poll, the 1961 University of Alabama football team has been voted into first place as "the Best All-Time SEC football team" to ever play for the SEC.http://www.secsportsfan.com/best-all-time-sec-football-team.html. To have turned around a decade of losing streaks from scratch and collectively outscore their opponents 297 to 25, Coach Bryant and this team have been thought to have pioneered the revolutionary turning point for the modern day University of Alabama football championship dynasty.http://www.secsportsfan.com/best-all-time-ncaa-college-football-team.html. Coach Bryant would go on to win his first (of three) National Coach of the Year Award for 1961.
Career Statistics
Trammell set multiple records during his career at Alabama, mostly during his senior season. 1,314 total yards with 1,035 passing yards was, at the time, a school record. At the conclusion of his final season, he would hold the record as the winningest quarterback in the entire Crimson Tide history, compiling a 26–2–4 record for a 0.875 winning percentage as a starter. This record stood 33 years until it was broken by Jay BarkerJay Barker
Jay Barker is a former professional American football quarterback, and a current Birmingham radio personality.- Football career :...
in 1994, with a 35–2–1 record for a 0.934 winning percentage. Jay Barker would be later awarded the prestigious Pat Trammell Award.
Currently, Trammell still holds two records at the University. Having thrown only two interceptions in 1960 from 133 passes is currently the lowest interception percentage at just 1.5%, setting the single season record. He also holds the career record for lowest interception percentage, throwing only four in 225 passes (1.8%).
! colspan=5|Passing
! rowspan=6|
! colspan=4|Rushing>
! Att !! Yards !! Avg !! TD>
| 21–49 >
| 21–43 >
| 75–133 >
! 117–225 !! 1,631 !! 52.0 !! 9 !! 4
! 307 !! 1,119 !! 3.6 >
Death
Trammell is likely most widely known for his untimely death in December 1968, falling victim to metastaticMetastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
at the age of 28 - only two years after earning his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree from the Medical College of Alabama, now known as the University of Alabama School of Medicine
University of Alabama School of Medicine
The University of Alabama School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public medical school located in Birmingham, Alabama. The UAB School of Medicine has branch campuses in Huntsville and at the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences in Tuscaloosa...
. He was just completing a residency in Dermatology and would plan to continue practicing medicine as a third generation doctor. With his tragic death, he left behind his beloved wife and two young children.
At his funeral, thousands attended the services, all ranging from dignitaries to those who had never met him, but whose lives were touched and inspired by him. With kindness and respect, Auburn University's Head Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan put rivalry aside to attend the service. Condolences flooded in from around the state and the country, including personal letters and telegrams from Governor George Wallace
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S...
, Governor Albert Brewer
Albert Brewer
Albert Preston Brewer is an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Alabama from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.-Life and political career:...
, Governor Jim Folsom
Jim Folsom
James Elisha Folsom, Sr. , commonly known as Jim Folsom or "Big Jim", was the 42nd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1947 to 1951, and again from 1955 to 1959. Born in Coffee County, Alabama, Folsom is perhaps best remembered as being among the first Southern governors to embrace...
, Congressman Robert E. Jones, Jr.
Robert E. Jones, Jr.
Robert E. Jones, Jr. was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th district of Alabama. He was the last to represent that district before it was removed as a result of the 1970 United States Census. Presently there are seven U.S. House districts in Alabama.-Early...
and acting US President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. A Resolution from the Alabama State House of Representatives was written into law acknowledging the tragic loss. The following is an excerpt of the eloquent eulogy at his funeral by the reigning president of the University of Alabama:
- Dr. Frank Rose, President, University of Alabama, December 11th, 1968.
"Pat lifted us to great heights on the football field, but perhaps his greatest moment of all came at the Football Hall of Fame dinner where we were receiving the highest honor, the MacArthur Bowl [trophy]. There were about 2,000 people attending the banquet, including President Kennedy, and General MacArthur himself. The crowd didn't bother Pat. Most young men would have been intimidated. He casually walked up to the microphone in front of this huge crowd and told everyone there he was very appreciative of what everyone had done for him, coach Bryant and the University.
Following that, President Kennedy came to my room at the hotel and personally sought out Pat. I never saw the President after that, that he didn't want to know about 'that fine young man, Pat.'
He had character and intelligence. He lived a full life. He thrilled people from all walks of life. He was able to share more moments of happiness than most men who live one hundred years. His achievements will be as dear to my memory as all the football games we'll ever win and all the expansion we'll have in the future. But all this is part of the making of a great institution like the University of Alabama....the life and story of Pat Trammell."
Afterward, with tears streaming down his face, tough, tenatious Paul "Bear" Bryant escorted Pat's mother out of the standing room only church in Scottsboro. This is reported to be the only time that Coach Bryant had ever been seen weeping in public.
In Bryant's autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
The Bear, he stated that the day Pat died was "the saddest day of my life."
After Coach Bryant celebrated his 300th college football victory, in 1980, a reprint of an interview by author Clyde Bolton was published in the The Birmingham News when he was reflecting back on his success as a football coach, leader and mentor. During this interview he was put on the spot and asked indirectly if he had a 'favorite player.' Coach Bryant named off a number of players that he thought highly of during the previous 22 years at Alabama and during his 30 year coaching career. He took a pause at that point and said, " [now] You'll have to forgive me here for getting sentimental." [sic] He then responded in turn with a direct and deliberate answer to the question, as was quoted in the October 6 edition, " .... Pat Trammell was [not just my favorite player, but] the favorite person...... of my entire life."
Legacy
The Legacy of Pat Trammell has lived on in many ways since his death. His eventual impact and timeless influence would only be later acknowledged in the history books, with dramatic illustrations in many non-fiction books, documentaries, news articles and movies (one being The Bear, starring Gary BuseyGary Busey
William Gary Busey , best known as Gary Busey, is an American film and stage actor and artist. He has appeared in a large variety of films, as well as making regular appearances on Gunsmoke, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, and Entourage...
as Bear Bryant and Jon-Erik Hexum
Jon-Erik Hexum
Jon-Erik Hexum was an American model and actor. He died as a result of a firearms accident on the set of the CBS television series Cover Up in which he played the male lead.-Early life and career:...
playing Pat Trammell). Colorful 'stories about Pat' seem to surface on a regular basis even still.
The following is a list of the many recognitions, endowments, scholarships and honors that have been made through the years and continue presently.
In 1968, in the year prior to his unexpected death, Pat Trammell was elected as Alumni President of the University of Alabama letterman's A-Club, but would never serve. http://www.rolltide.com/aclub/aclub-history.html
Subsequently, the Alabama A-Club Educational and Charitable Foundation was established three weeks after Pat's death on December 31, 1968 by his teammates, Tommy Brooker, James A. Sharpe, Joseph K. Sims, and Billy Neighbors
Billy Neighbors
William Wesley "Billy" Neighbors is a former American football guard who played in the American Football League from . He played college football at the University of Alabama where he was an All-American, and was selected in sixth round of the 1962 AFL Draft...
. Coach Bryant and the team recognized the need for a charitable program that would lend support to the families and children of former University of Alabama football players in times of need. An initial contribution of $1,000,000 was set up by Coach Bryant with Pat's family and children in mind. The A-Club Foundation has evolved into a world class charitable support system for the University of Alabama Department of Athletics that lives on today. Similar generous scholarship programs are now banned by the NCAA, but Coach Bryant's "A-Club" has been granted unique privileges and has been legally grandfathered forth-going.
In 1971, just after the completion of the new football stadium in Pat's hometown of Scottsboro, Alabama, it was named and dedicated as " Trammell Stadium " http://www.scottsborowildcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=73
In 1975, Pat Trammell was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is a state museum located in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to communicating the state’s athletic history...
. http://www.ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&srctype=display&id=136&submenu=Inductees&view=company_detail
In 2009, the theatrical performance of Bear Country http://blog.al.com/aharvey/2009/08/bear_country_tackles_story_of.html starring Rodney Clark as Coach Bryant, drew unexpected popularity. During the true to life play, Coach Bryant is approaching retirement and reflects back over his life and career. Recent interest has been drawn, that, of the hundreds of players that he had coached and known so well over 45 years, he would only mention one by name. A dramatic and emotional scene in the play about his inner regard for Pat Trammell ensued. This was another glimpse into the bond and mutual respect that was stronger and deeper than many had always understood. It has been said that losing Pat was so emotionally devastating for Coach Bryant that it was as if he had lost his own son.
Beginning in 2008, a Sports Medicine Fellowship and Chair in recognition of Dr. Pat Trammell have been endowed at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Campus, between the College of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://ourstudentsourfuture.ua.edu/medic.html As described by the University of Alabama Athletic Director, Mal Moore, the 'Dr. Patrick Lee Trammell, Sr., Excellence in Sports Medicine Program' promotes specialized Sports Medicine education, on-the-field 'hands-on' training, and practical experience for future Sports Medicine Team Physicians. http://cchs.ua.edu/fm/sports-medicine/endowed-chair-sports-medicine. The first resident physician has now been awarded the fellowship and entered the program in June 2010. http://www.cchs.ua.edu/dean/fellowship.php The following is the list of recipients of the endowed Dr. Patrick Lee Trammell, Sr., Excellence in Sports Medicine Fellowship:
2010 Dr. Ray Stewart
2011 Dr. Eric Law
Also, every year forthgoing, during the University of Alabama football players Senior's Banquet, toward the end of the season, the prestigious and coveted Pat Trammell Award is presented by the Alumni Association and Department of Athletics to an outstanding Alabama football player who demonstrates the merit, leadership and character that are representative of Pat Trammell himself. The following is the partial list of recipients:
1988 David Smith
1989 John Mangum
1990 Roger Shultz
1991 Kevin Turner
1992 George Wilson
1993 Tobie Sheils
1994 Jay Barker
1995 John Walters
1996 John Causey
1997 Curtis Alexander
1998 John David Phillips
1999 Shaun Alexander
2000 Paul Hogan
2001 Andrew Zow
2002 Sam Collins
2004 Antonio Carter http://www.uajeffco.org/body.cfm?id=47
2005 Matt Miller http://www.uajeffco.org/Body.cfm?id=66
2006 Tim Castille http://www.uajeffco.org/body.cfm?id=99
2007 Keith Saunders and Matt Caddell http://www.uajeffco.org/Body.cfm?id=109
2008 Bobby Greenwood and Travis McCall http://crimsonconfidential.com/news/articles/2008/12/7/caldwell-johnson-wilson-named-permanent-team-captains-at-alabama-football-banquet
2009 Drew Davis and Cory Reamer http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120609aac.html
2010 Preston Dial and David Ross http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120610aad.html