Bruce Arians, a two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year and Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been named 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 award recognizes individuals whose contributions and positive influence have helped define the way we experience sports and who exemplify the characteristics for which Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was known, including integrity, perseverance, determination, and grit. Arians' selection underscores the profound impact of leadership that extends beyond the football field, particularly in the realm of health advocacy and personal resilience.
The significance of this honor is deeply rooted in the legacy of Coach Bryant, who died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. The American Heart Association presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, honor Coach Bryant's legacy, and raise awareness and critical funds for its mission to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke. By selecting Arians, the organization highlights a coach whose life story mirrors the values Bryant embodied, both on and off the field.
Arians' connection to Bryant is personal. From 1981-82, he served on Bryant's staff at the University of Alabama, coaching running backs under the Hall of Fame coach. That early experience helped shape a career that spanned more than five decades as a player, coach, mentor, and advocate. Arians went on to build a reputation as one of the game's premier offensive minds, guiding the development of quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, and Tom Brady. He won two Super Bowls as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then led 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.
Yet it is Arians' personal health journey that gives this award particular resonance. 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. "By sharing his own health journey with courage and authenticity, he has inspired countless individuals to face challenges with hope and determination," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "We are proud to honor him with the Heart of a Champion Award."
The 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, 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. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and the association's work is supported by more than 35 million volunteers. Fans can learn more about the awards and the American Heart Association's mission at heart.org and stroke.org. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
"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."
