Nursing a Coke and a cigarette and a sudden ear infection that gave his voice a somewhat comic, sudsy quality, Bryant said afterward that he thought Alabama "could have beaten any team in the country" that day. The Bear went on to say he could not recall ever being prouder of a team, and if they wanted his vote for No. 1, they had it.
He then retired for the evening, not minding at all as Alabama players zipped into the French Quarter for one last fling at New Orleans' night life. After the regular season finale against Auburn, he had scolded them soundly for popping champagne in the dressing room. He thought that was premature celebration. As Bryant sees life in these United States, if you're not No. 1, you're premature.
This goal-line stand article is a goodie. I heard a Pennsylvania knucklehead on Finebaum this week insist that "the Penn State ball carrier crossed the goal line". He seemed to think only the helmet needed to cross.