1. Sharing the Field: Integration of
College Football in the SEC
Taylor Shaw
As the civil rights era came into full swing, African Americans were seeking equal access to many
predominantly white institutions, including colleges. I will take a look at the Southeastern Conference
(SEC) and the integration of football at these schools. First, in an explanation of southern culture and
football’s role within society in the South, chapterone outlines where the South was before integration.
In chapter two, a short section of background info on the SEC, and the integration years (1963-1971).
Lastly, as a most important case study, Alabama University’s Crimson Tide and their beloved coach, Paul
“Bear” Bryant serve as a perfect example of the resistance of white southerners to the idea of having
integrated football teams. In a time when the SEC began to fall behind the rest of the country, and losing
seasons became the norm, southerners became desperate for a way to win again. White southerners
eventually had to learn to accept African American athletes in orderto win football games again.