Fresh inductee Lyons lauds Bear Bryant
Former New York Jets player Marty Lyons, who is now a radio analyst for the New York Jets. (Nov. 21, 2004) Credit: NFL
Marty Lyons knew the name, but he didn't really comprehend the legend of Bear Bryant when Lyons decided to play college football for the coach at Alabama.
Lyons, one of 14 players inducted into college football's Hall of Fame on Tuesday at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, spent this week fondly recalling his years in Tuscaloosa. He remains a big fan of the top-ranked Crimson Tide.
Lyons, a former Jet who has lived on Long Island for more than 30 years and is a play-by-play analyst for the NFL team on ESPN 1050, grew up in Florida and said he selected Alabama over Florida State, Florida, Kentucky, Miami and Tennessee. "Everyone was telling me 'Come to my place and you'll play right away,' " Lyons said. "Coach Bryant said: 'Marty, we'd love to have you come here. If you're good enough to play, you'll have an opportunity to play.' "
Lyons recalled how he was at first mortified during Bryant's address to the freshman class in the fall of 1975.
"Here's the head football coach saying family, religion, education, football," Lyons said. "I'm 700 miles away from home saying, 'Did I come to the right place?' "
Lyons came to understand Bryant's motivational approach. The team went 42-6 and Lyons played in three Sugar Bowls, including 1979, when Alabama won its 10th national championship.
Lyons was then ready for the pros, where the Jets made the defensive tackle and future Sack Exchange member the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 1979 draft. Bryant imparted one last piece of wisdom. "He said, `Marty, you're going to play a game you love and be able to build financial security for your family. But a winner in the game of life is a person that gives of themselves so others can grow.' "
That inspiration came into focus 27 years ago with formation of the Marty Lyons Foundation, which grants wishes for terminally ill children. Lyons rarely mentions his football accomplishments; he'd rather thank others. "I tell kids at banquets," he said, "your name may be on an award, but to truly make it special, recognize the people who don't have their name on it."
