Rich Wingo was a linebacker for the University of Alabama during one of the most famous plays in college football history, “The Goal Line Stand” in the 1978 national championship game against Penn State. 35 years later, sources in Tuscaloosa say Wingo is now ready to hold the line again — this time for conservative principles. Wingo will announce Tuesday that he will be a Republican candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 62.

John Merrill, the current District 62 representative is running for Secretary of State in 2014 rather than seeking re-election to the state house.

After playing under Coach Bryant at Alabama, Wingo played seven seasons for the Green Bay Packers. He was the team’s Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first year in the NFL. He later coached at the University of Alabama before serving for twenty years as president of AIG-Baker Real Estate, a shopping center development company. He is now the chief operating officer of United Assurance Corporation and co-owner of Solid Rock Builders, a residential construction company.

An Alabama football legend running for public office in Tuscaloosa? That’s a lot to overcome for any would-be challengers.

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