$DWAC. Southeastern typical racist…. Paul Bear Bryant…. Alabama coach, Bryant agreed to play an integrated Penn State team in the Liberty Bowl in Philadelphia. It's almost impossible to imagine the opposition to that decision, but here's a clue.
Alabama historian Keith Dunnavant, in the research for his excellent documentary "Three Days at Foster: How Integration Turned the Tide," discovered a telegram on that subject. Dated Dec. 7, 1959, it was a message to Bryant from the Citizens Council of West Alabama.
It read, in part, "We strongly oppose our boys playing an integrated team. We hope this has been taken care of. The Tide belongs to all Alabama, and Alabamians favor continued segregation."