Bruce Arians, a two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year and Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been selected as the recipient of the American Heart Association's 2027 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Heart of a Champion Award, presented by Houston-based St. Luke's Health. The honor recognizes Arians' exceptional contributions to college football and the community, celebrating a career that spans more than five decades as a player, coach, mentor, and advocate.
The Bear Bryant Awards are presented annually by the American Heart Association to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant's legacy, and raise awareness and critical funds for the organization's mission. Coach Bryant died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. The Heart of a Champion Award specifically recognizes individuals whose notable contributions and positive influence have helped define the way we experience sports and who exemplify the characteristics for which Coach Bryant was known, including integrity, perseverance, determination, and grit. The award is selected annually by the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, comprised of members of the Bryant family and community leaders.
Few individuals embody those qualities more completely than Arians. His coaching career began at Virginia Tech before stops at Mississippi State, Alabama, and Temple University. From 1981-82, he served on Coach Bryant's staff at the University of Alabama, coaching running backs under the Hall of Fame coach. After transitioning to the NFL, Arians built a reputation as one of the game's premier offensive minds and quarterback developers. Over a career that included leadership roles with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he helped guide the development of some of football's most accomplished quarterbacks, including Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, and Tom Brady. Arians captured two Super Bowl titles as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers before leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl LV, becoming the oldest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl at age 68. He also earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2012 and 2014.
Arians' personal resilience has also served as an inspiration. A survivor of both prostate and kidney cancer, he has faced significant health challenges with the same determination that defined his coaching career. His openness about those experiences has helped raise awareness and encourage others facing their own health battles. 'I'm deeply honored to receive the Heart of a Champion Award,' Arians said. 'To be associated with Coach Bryant's legacy is incredibly meaningful to me, especially because I had the privilege of coaching on his staff early in my career. Football has given me so much, but the relationships, the opportunities to help others and the chance to make a difference beyond the game are what I value most. I'm grateful to the American Heart Association and the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards for this recognition.'
The Heart of a Champion Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards Ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System. This year's ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network. In addition to Arians' selection as Heart of a Champion, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Fan Favorite, Newcomer Coach of the Year, and 2026 Paul 'Bear' Bryant National Coach of the Year will be awarded. The Paul 'Bear' Bryant Awards support the American Heart Association by raising funds and awareness to advance lifesaving research and improve cardiovascular health. For more information about the American Heart Association's mission, visit heart.org or stroke.org. The original announcement is available via www.newmediawire.com.
