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Emotional Steelers’ Coach John Mitchell Reflects On Alabama Playing Days

Earlier this week, we noted Alabama would honor longtime Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach John Mitchell, along with Wilbur Jackson, as they broke the school’s color barrier and became the first two black players in Crimson Tide history. That ceremony was held today with an emotional Mitchell giving a speech about what the school and then head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant” meant to him.

John Mitchell gets emotional talking about his journey as one of the first Black football players at Alabama. pic.twitter.com/9gNNSWqpj8

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) April 16, 2022

In part, a choked-up Mitchell said.