Bill Curry

As a player, Bill Curry learned the game from such legendary masters as Bobby Dodd, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula. He snapped the ball to a who's who list of quarterbacks, including Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, and Billy Lothridge. He was a two-time Pro Bowl center, a three-time NFL Champion, and a two-time Super Bowl Champion, with victories in Super Bowls I and V. Curry's NFL career was highlighted by his selections to the All-Pro Team in 1971 and 1972, and his appearances in two NFL Pro Bowls. His playing career also included playing under the coaching of some of the greatest figures in football, further enriching his understanding and approach to the game.

The Coach

As a coach, Bill Curry restored the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to national prominence. At the University of Alabama, where he was named Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year and received the 1990 SEC Coach of the Year award by the Associated Press, Curry led the Tide to an SEC Championship and to berths in the Hall of Fame Bowl, the Sun Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. At Kentucky, Bill led his Wildcats to their first bowl game in nearly a decade. In 2008, Bill became the first head coach at Georgia State, who played its inaugural season in 2010. Bill's honors and awards include the 2007 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, the 2008 Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award, and the 2012 Intellectual Property Legends Award. His coaching challenges were marked by both highs and significant adversities, serving as valuable lessons that he later integrated into his motivational speeches.

The Leader

As a leader, Bill served as President of the National Football League Players Association during one of the most tumultuous periods in NFL history. He was later the Chief Operating Officer for the National Consortium for Academics & Sports. From 2006 to 2008, Bill served as the Executive Director of the leadership initiative at The Baylor School in Tennessee. His extensive experience as a coach, communicator, educator, motivator, and author has made his counsel highly valued by various organizations across the country, helping to cultivate leaders from within their ranks.

The Analyst

As an analyst and on-air personality for ESPN, Bill Curry shared his insights with a worldwide audience, becoming a trusted voice in college football broadcasts. His commentary, marked by a commanding, passionate, and often humorous delivery, brought a unique depth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the sports journalism field.

The Author

In 1977, with dear friend and muse George Plimpton, Bill wrote his first book: "One More July -- A Football Dialogue." In 2008, Bill's next book -- "Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle: Lessons from a Football Life" -- was released by ESPN books and was immediately praised by author Pat Conroy as the best book ever about the NFL. Through his writings, Curry explores themes related to leadership, team-building, success, and character integrity, providing readers with profound insights from his extensive football life.

The Husband, Father, And Grandfather

As a husband, he has somehow managed -- through 35 moves and more than fifty years of marriage -- to hang onto his brilliant and beautiful wife Carolyn, who was Bill's grade school sweetheart. In Bill Jr. and Kristin, Bill has two incredibly accomplished and successful children. And, in grandchildren Alex, Elliot, Evelyn, Claire, and Brett, Bill has the most promising generation yet of the Curry family.

The Man

Pete Wellborn, Bill's former player, describes Bill as follows: "Most importantly, as a human being, Bill has touched countless lives. To the thousands of athletes whom he has coached, Bill has been a mentor, advisor, father-figure, role model, philanthropist, and, in short, pretty much every other descriptive term one can think of that describes a person who improves and enriches the lives of everyone he touches.

In short, to be around Bill is to become a better person.