Conyers has transitioned to an off-field role, overseeing the scheduling for the practice officials and mentoring them from the sidelines.
He helped pioneer the role of Bama practice ref after being recruited by Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1962.
Conyers says Bryant’s theory was to work all the penalties out at practice in hopes of fewer game infractions.
“I can’t tell you how terrified and intimidated I was,” recalls Conyers, who had been working as an official at high school football games at the time.
He left his day job at a local hardware store a few hours early, ducked into a service station restroom to change into zebra stripes, and reported for duty, asking Bryant what he was supposed to do.
“Coach Bryant talked low and he mumbled,” Conyers says. “I didn’t have a clue what he said. And I just said ‘ok.’”
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