A Tribute to Alabama Football’s Biggest Legends — And the Mighty Men of ‘76
When it comes to Alabama football, greatness isn’t just measured in touchdowns or trophies — it’s etched in the names and numbers of the giants who’ve made the Crimson Tide a force in college football history. Among those legends, two massive talents share an unforgettable connection to the number 76, a number that has come to represent size, strength, and championship pedigree in Tuscaloosa.
Chris Samuels, a dominant offensive tackle and Outland Trophy winner, wore No. 76 with pride during his time at Alabama in the late 1990s. A brick wall in cleats, Samuels didn’t allow a single sack his senior year — a remarkable testament to both his athleticism and technique. He helped define Alabama’s offensive line era before heading to the NFL, where he became a six-time Pro Bowler with Washington. At Bama, his legacy remains unshakable: a captain, a mentor, a Tide titan.
Decades earlier, Dwight Stephenson, though famously wearing No. 57 in the NFL, also carried a deep connection to Alabama’s powerful trench tradition. As a part of Bear Bryant’s championship teams in the 1970s, Stephenson was an unmovable center and a driving force behind the Tide’s dominant wishbone offense. Though his jersey didn’t bear the number 76, he stood alongside others who did — and helped define what being a big man at Alabama really meant: toughness, precision, and leadership.
Together, these men and their brothers in the trenches laid the groundwork for Alabama’s dynastic rise. They opened holes, protected legends, and fought every down with unmatched heart.
So here’s to the big guys — especially those bound by the legacy of 76. At Alabama, being big means more than size. It means playing with pride, leaving a legacy, and shaping the game for generations to come.
