Pat Trammell

Patrick Lee Trammell (July 11, 1940 – December 10, 1968) was an All-American quarterback for the University of Alabama from 1958 until 1961. In his senior year, he led the Crimson Tide to a perfect season of 11-0-0 and Alabama subsequently won the NCAA National Championship for 1961. On December 10, 1968, he died from metastatic testicular cancer at age 28, shortly after earning his M.D. degree.

Early life

Pat Trammell was born in how Scottsboro, Alabama as the middle son of a prominent local physician, Dr. Edward Lee Trammell. He quickly excelled both in athletics and academics. He wished to become a physician like his father and father's grandfather.

He was the starting quarterback in Varsity Football at Scottsboro High School where he earned All-County, All-State, All-Southern and All-American honors during his four year prep career. He was also named most valuable basketball player in state of Alabama as a high school senior.

Playing career

His football career at Alabama began just prior to Paul "Bear" Bryant's announcement that he planned to return to his alma mater to take over as head coach of the ailing football program. Trammell's family recalls a personal visit at the time and a 'pep talk' from Coach Bryant saying that, "if you'll commit to Alabama, then I'll come back to Alabama." Trammell had actually planned to attend Georgia Tech, after being heavily recruited by head coach Bobby Dodd but at this point, made a career altering decision that would change the rest of his life.