You have probably watched Rudy, right? On the surface, it’s a simple story about a little boy who dreams of playing for Notre Dame one day. Everyone, including his father, brother, and girlfriend, is convinced it can’t be done; after all, the guy was 5 feet and hardly 120 lbs. Despite setbacks, Rudy changes his fate with hard work and finally straps up in that gold and blue and steps onto the field during his senior season’s final game against Georgia Tech. But this story has much more than it shows. After all, not every fan can make that journey, right? But does that mean they are less of a fan than Rudy? Well, if you ask Paul Finebaum and thousands of SEC fans, true fandom looks a lot like Rudy’s spirit.

SEC fans today are mourning the passing of a fan who might not have played for Alabama, but he bled Crimson and worshipped the dynasty that Bama football has become. Yes, we are talking about Larry Wallace, aka Larry from Shelby, who regularly appeared in Paul Finebaum’s show and entertained us with his unwavering devotion to the Crimson Tide. He didn’t just cheer for Alabama he lived and breathed for it, but even if Larry isn’t with us now, his iconic moments and larger-than-life fandom will be with us forever.

Finebaum, in his X post, delivered the tragic news to the SEC fans. “It is virtually impossible for me to begin the final hour with this news, which we have just learned about over the last few minutes and that is one of the truly iconic callers in the history of this show, Larry Wallace, Larry from Shelby, not very far from where we sit has passed away according to several of his friends.”. Larry, almost 76, was on the ventilator and on oxygen for a few weeks, as Finebaum recalled his final, emotional call to Larry just last week.

“We heard from Larry just last week, it was an absolutely heartbreaking and gut-wrenching call, but he was on oxygen,  on the ventilator at the hospital, but he wanted to call, and we felt fairly certain it would be this final call. “

The passing of Larry has left a void in the sporting world, and it would be hard to find a fan as passionate about Bama football as Larry. The guy was so much in love with Alabama that he went toe-to-toe with Michael Bratton on live TV when Bratton last season called Bama a “decaying dynasty“. But now that Larry has left the world, tributes are pouring in for him from all over the country.

Tributes pour in for Larry Wallace

We saw Larry almost regularly calling in on Paul Finebaum’s show and entertaining us with his passionate takes. So much so that even Finebaum started to enjoy what Larry had to say and almost always picked up Larry’s number to allow him to be on live television. Once Larry even remarked that he drank straight up 25 Bud Lights on Saturdays when Bama was playing. Finebaum acknowledged that only Larry could do that. The fans naturally can’t forget this moment and are reminiscing about it, as one user commented on Finebaum’s X post.

“Always liked Ole Larry. Have a Bud Light in Heaven. RIP 🙏,” While another commented and proclaimed that no other Bama fan would match Larry’s passion ever. “Man Larry was the best damn Bama fan on the show. Roll Tide, Larry. RIP.” Larry’s calls over the course of 11 years of Finebaum’s show gradually became more thorough. In moments, he didn’t even leave, berating Finebaum for a harsh take on Bama.

For instance, 3 years ago, when Nick Saban in the 2021 season, Larry correctly predicted Bama beating Georgia in the SEC championship game when Finebaum said “Bama is going down.” Although Bama later lost in the CFP final against rematch against Georgia, still for the prediction’s sake, Larry was right. One of the users commented on Larry’s signature drunk dial style, in which he talked. “One of the very best. His style was so perfect, everything he said you could hear was done with a smile and in good humor.” Even Cousin Shane, the host of ‘Big Orange Volz,’ commented with a sad emoji.  While another user remarked on Larry’s sense of humor on the show whenever he called in.

“Oh, no. I’m so sorry to hear this. Larry was one of the nicest and funniest callers I’ve had the pleasure to meet. God rest his soul.“. Well, for those who have ever heard Larry on Paul Finebaum’s show, they know how entertaining Larry could get once he had that pack of beers and dialed in. Even last year, when Bama lost against Oklahoma and  Vanderbilt, the guy was still predicting to be Bama would be the best ever. The outpouring of love shows Larry was the favorite caller of fans, as even Michael Bratton poured in his condolences. “Very sorry to hear this, Larry was a good man. Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.”