Oct. 7, 2009

In My Own Words Clip

ATLANTA, Ga. - SportSouth today announced the debut of In My Own Words: Pat Sullivan, a 30-minute interview special spotlighting the Samford University head football coach and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Prior to the debut, Sullivan's Bulldog squad hosts the Chattanooga Mocs at 4 p.m. ET on SportSouth as part of the network's SoCon Saturdays football package.

In the SportSouth Original program, interspersed with footage from Bulldogs' practice, Sullivan chronicles his childhood in Birmingham, being recruited as a high school football star by both Auburn and Alabama, his Heisman Trophy win, his battle with cancer and the coaching journey that ultimately brought him home to Samford.

"In My Own Words: Pat Sullivan fits perfectly into our weekly SoCon Saturdays programming block," said Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports South and SportSouth. "SportSouth is committed to providing SoCon fans with live events and original programs that connect them to their favorite team and its stars like Sullivan."

In My Own Words: Pat Sullivan has additional airings on October 13 at 5:30 p.m. CT, October 27 at 3:30 p.m. CT and October 31 at 12:30 p.m. CT.

Sullivan on his Heisman Trophy victory
• "We were getting ready to play Alabama on Saturday, and the announcement was made on Thursday night. And so, as soon as the announcement was made, I saw it on TV, the same way that everybody else saw it, so Jean and I and my family, we could go back over to the coliseum, to the coaches' office and I could share it with my teammates and my coaches and the Auburn family, and that's something that I'll always cherish."

Sullivan on what he learned from his battle with throat cancer
• "It taught you what's really important. You'd better have your relationship with the good Lord. You'd better have your relationship with your family. And without question, that's what's important in life."

Sullivan on his journey to Samford University
• "I wanted to be a Division I head coach, and I've done that. Now, what's important is coaching the kids and having the relationships with them and seeing them grow. I think everything happens for a reason, for everybody, and I think the good Lord has a plan for you. Hopefully, this is my plan."

The regional sports networks serving the Southeast - FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Carolinas and FOX Sports Tennessee - collectively reach more than 12.6 million cable and satellite television households in seven states in the Southeast and are the television home of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies and the Nashville Predators, as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference. SportSouth reaches more than 9.4 million homes in six Southeastern states and is the television home of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Thrashers and Southern Conference. SportSouth also offers expanded coverage of the University of South Carolina and University of Tennessee. Combined, the four networks produce more than 800 live local events each year.