Steve Sloan, the former Alabama football quarterback and athletics director, died Sunday in Orlando, Florida at the age of 79, according to an obituary written by Wayne Atcheson, a former UA sports information director.
Sloan spent the past three months in memory care. He died at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with his wife, Brenda, by his side.
Born in Austin, Texas, Sloan was an All-American and two-time national champion at Alabama. He became the SEC MVP in 1965 and was named the best college quarterback with the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 1966.
Sloan served as the backup quarterback to Joe Namath to begin Sloan’s time at Alabama, so Sloan played defensive back to start. But when Namath was suspended for the 1964 Sugar Bowl, Sloan filled in and led Alabama to a 12-7 victory. The next two seasons, Alabama won national championships. The first, Sloan was a backup to Namath and filled in when Namath was injured. Then the next season, Sloan became a captain and led the Crimson Tide to another national championship, with a victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Sloan was named MVP of that game.
During his time at Alabama, Sloan was also a founding member of Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
MORE: Relive Nick Saban’s epic Alabama football coaching career with our special book!
KALEN DEBOER: Who is Kalen DeBoer? A collection of stories about the new Alabama football coach
CHASE GOODBREAD: How Alabama football’s Kalen DeBoer held a Nick Saban signing class together | Goodbread
After Sloan’s playing career at UA, the Atlanta Falcons drafted him, and he played two seasons as a backup. Then he went back to Tuscaloosa and began his coaching career. He joined the Alabama staff from 1968-70. He was also golf coach in 1969.
After two offensive coordinator stints, first at Florida State then Georgia Tech, Sloan became the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-sloan-former-alabama-american-153205024.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2024-04-15 15:32:05
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
