The Point Clear Rotary Club was honored to welcome Kirk McNair, a true legend in Alabama sports journalism.
Kirk has covered Alabama athletics for over 50 years, attending more than 600 Crimson Tide football games—more than anyone else in history. His lifetime of dedication to sports writing earned him a place among just 16 inductees in the Alabama Sports Writers Hall of Fame.
He began his career at the Birmingham Post-Herald, where he became assistant sports editor at just 24 years old. From there, he joined the University of Alabama’s sports information office, eventually serving as Sports Information Director. In 1979, he founded ’BAMA, Inside the Crimson Tide magazine and its companion site, BamaMag.com, further solidifying his role as one of the most trusted voices in Alabama sports.
Over the years, Kirk has written acclaimed books, including What It Means To Be Crimson Tide and Gamechangers: The Greatest Plays in Alabama Football History. His award-winning reporting includes a five-part series on Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s role in the desegregation of Alabama athletics, a work that earned the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Most Outstanding Enterprise honor.
His expertise has also been featured in numerous documentaries, and for the past seven years he has been part of the 24/7 Sports staff.
On a personal note, Kirk is also the first cousin of our own Bill McNair—though as Kirk likes to say, “not a lot older.”
We thank Kirk for joining us and sharing his incredible stories and insights into the history of Alabama athletics. His work has not only chronicled the games but preserved the legacy of the Crimson Tide for generations of fans.
Leave a comment