Phillip Fulmer Receives American Heart Association's 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award

The American Heart Association has selected former University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer as the recipient of its 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing both his football achievements and the charitable mission behind the honor. The award ceremony serves as a significant fundraising vehicle for the Association's work to combat heart disease, with the January 21, 2026 event in Houston, Texas being broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

This recognition highlights how charitable organizations leverage sports legacies to advance public health missions. The American Heart Association presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually not only to celebrate coaching excellence but to raise awareness and critical funds for its work to better diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease. The connection to Coach Bryant's legacy is particularly meaningful given that he died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.

Nancy Brown, American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the dual purpose of the awards program. She stated that recognizing legendary careers of outstanding coaches honors the memory and achievements of Paul "Bear" Bryant while supporting the Association's vital health mission. The Lifetime Achievement Award specifically honors coaches for outstanding career accomplishments both on and off the football field, with criteria established by the Bryant family and voted on by the National Sports Media Association.

Fulmer expressed his honor at receiving the award, noting his lifelong admiration for Coach Bryant and appreciation for the American Heart Association's work. His selection continues a tradition of honoring coaching excellence while supporting charitable causes. The award is determined by three key criteria: integrity both on and off the field above reproach; leadership, dedication, and developing character, integrity, and sportsmanship of young people; and inspiration and instruction in developing game skills and physical fitness in players.

The former Tennessee coach joins a distinguished list of college football coaching greats including recent recipients Grant Teaff, Lloyd Carr, Bob Stoops, John Robinson, Howard Schellenberger, Bill Snyder and Frank Beamer. Fulmer's coaching credentials make him a fitting recipient, having compiled a 152-52 record over 17 seasons at Tennessee. His Volunteers won SEC titles in 1997 and 1998, with the perfect 1998 campaign culminating in the inaugural BCS National Championship after beating Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl.

Beyond his on-field success, Fulmer's program developed numerous players who achieved professional and academic honors. More than 90 of his former players eventually played in the National Football League, with 70 earning first team all-Southeastern Conference honors. He coached two William V. Campbell Trophy winners in Peyton Manning and Michael Munoz, and 19 of his players were named first team all-America. The Lifetime Achievement Award represents one of five honors presented annually during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony, with additional awards for Heart of a Champion, Fan Favorite, Newcomer Coach of the Year, and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year.

The intersection of sports recognition and charitable fundraising demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can effectively leverage popular culture and athletic achievement to advance their missions. The American Heart Association's approach shows how honoring sports legends can simultaneously celebrate excellence while generating support for critical health initiatives that affect millions of Americans.