We’re in the game: Bear Bryant Award returns to EA SPORTS College Football 27

HOUSTON, July 2, 2026 - The name of the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant is synonymous with excellence in the game of college football, and once again, fans playing EA SPORTS College Football 27's Dynasty Mode will have the chance to win the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Award as the game's National Coach of the Year.

Last year's video game release saw the Bryant Award join the Heisman Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Lombardi Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award and Broyles Award as featured awards in the game.

The continued inclusion of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award in one of the most celebrated video game franchises in history is another step in the efforts by the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, to celebrate college football coaches who embody his legacy and principles of excellence, and to engage with fans of college football who continue to draw inspiration from his enduring example of leadership and character.

Now in their 41^st year, the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards annually present the individual Heart of a Champion Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, Conference Coach of the Year Awards in addition to the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year Award. Indiana's Curt Cignetti was the 2025 Coach of the Year, and the 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 27, 2027. The Coach of the Year award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA College football coaches, former Coach of the Year Award winners, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant family. This award is the only college football coaching honor selected after the National Champion has been determined.

Coach Bryant's journey to the top of college football began in 1913 in Moro Bottom, Arkansas as a player for the Fordyce High School Redbugs and then the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He began his head coaching career at the University of Maryland in 1945, and after successful stints at the University of Kentucky (1946-53) and Texas A&M (1954-57), Coach Bryant took over the Alabama program in 1958 and led the Crimson Tide through the 1982 season. He won 323 games against just 85 losses and 17 ties, capturing six national championships, 14 SEC Championships and one Southwest Conference championship. A three-time American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year and 12-time SEC Coach of the Year, coach Bryant passed away from a heart attack on January 26, 1983 - just under one month after coaching his final game.

After his passing, the Bryant family and American Heart Association collaborated to keep his legacy alive, raise funds to support lifesaving scientific research and drive greater awareness of the risks surrounding heart disease and stroke, the nation's leading killers.

EA Sports College Football 27 will be released on Monday, July 9.

For more information on the American Heart Association Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, visit https://www.bryantawards.org.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook,  or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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For Media Inquiries:

Paul Smith; [email protected]

Steven Embree; [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org