Former Crimson Tide All-SEC Lineman Steve Sprayberry Dead At 70

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former University of Alabama standout offensive lineman Steve Sprayberry, a member of the Tide's 1973 national championship team under the legendary Bear Bryant, died on Friday in a Birmingham hospital due to unspecified health issues, his family confirmed.

He was 70 years old.

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Sprayberry lettered three years at tackle for the Tide during his time at the Capstone, and even managed to see playing time despite competing on the line against Tide legends Jim Krapf, Buddy Brown and John Hannah — widely considered the greatest offensive lineman to ever play the game.

Indeed, Sprayberry started 24 consecutive games for the Crimson Tide from 1972-1973, with Alabama posting a 21-3 record over that time and winning the national championship his senior season. Despite the historic 24-23 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl that season for the tide to finish 11-1, the final regular-season Coaches' Poll would see the Tide crowned national champions — it's fourth of the Bryant Era.

For his efforts clearing the way in a Wishbone offense for star running back Wilbur Jackson and signal-caller Gary Rutledge, Sprayberry was named an All-SEC selection at the end of the 1973 season.

Rutledge will serve as one of the pallbearers in his former teammate's funeral on Wednesday, Oct. 26, according to Sprayberry's obituary. Former Tide All-SEC defensive back David McMakin has also been named a pallbearer for his late teammate.

The pride of Sylacauga High School, Sprayberry was an all-state selection in 1969 and a member of a 3A state title team for coach Tom Calvin.

Despite initial concerns from Bryant about his 6-2, 190-pound frame, Sprayberry was recruited by the legendary Mal Moore and recounted the experience to longtime Alabama beat writer Kirk McNair in 2020.

“I was what they call a ‘Tweener,'” he told McNair. “I wasn’t as big coming out of high school as they wanted me to be. They never would declare ... Mal liked to say that he recruited me, but Coach Bryant picked me."

Like every other player to ever take the field in a Crimson jersey, Sprayberry had to earn his way onto the talented Crimson Tide roster in early 1970s. Indeed, he would prove his worth to Bryant and the Alabama fanbase by adding nearly 30 pounds and playing much bigger and more tenacious than his size would indicate.

After his decorated playing days in Tuscaloosa, Sprayberry briefly entered the coaching ranks, first joining the legendary Frank Broyles' staff at Arkansas as a graduate assistant. The following year, he would be promoted to offensive line coach before joining Bob Tyler's staff in the same role at Mississippi State for the 1977 and 1978 seasons.

"Steve has done an outstanding job for us and he deserves this opportunity," Broyles told a reporter in 1975. "He has a great future in coaching."

Sprayberry, however, would eventually give up the coaching life to return to his hometown of Sylacauga to start his own insurance firm — Wright-Sprayberry Insurance, LLC.

He and his wife Carol also became pillars of their community and were involved in numerous worthwhile causes.

According to his obituary, Sprayberry is survived by his wife; his daughter Kelly Akers (Ryan); and his son Steven E. Sprayberry Jr. (Kimberly); his mother Betty S. Jones; his sister Beverly White; his grandchildren Rowen Akers, Hudson Akers, Hannah Ryan Akers, Isaac Sprayberry, Savannah Sprayberry, Lillian Sprayberry, and Charlotte Sprayberry, and his nephews Brian White and Wes McCarter.

A visitation service will be held for Sprayberry on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Sylacauga. The visitation will be followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m., with Sprayberry being laid to rest in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Sprayberry's memory be made to the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation at 43 N Broadway, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150 US and Lifeline Children's Services (Hope Adoption Fund-China), 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, Alabama 35242 US.

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