Former Alabama linebacker tackling a new sport

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – If you’re an Alabama football fan or a UFC fan, Eryk Anders is a name that you will probably recognize.

Some Crimson Tide fans might even have the image playing in their heads when Anders made the play of the game in the 2009-2010 BCS title game between Alabama and Texas. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter as Alabama led 24-21, Anders tackled then Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert and forced a fumble that would ultimately seal the game and kick-off the Nick Saban dynasty.

It’s a moment that will be remembered forever, but unfortunately, football didn’t work out. So, Anders decided to tackle another sport and traded in the football for fighting gloves and replaced grass with mats.

“I went from being a black belt in football to a white belt in fighting,” Anders said.

Anders worked for Coca-Cola, was once a customer service representative, and did just about everything under the sun. However, nothing satisfied him more than training did. Anders made his UFC debut in 2017 fighting out Birmingham, and now wants to help others pick up the gloves.

“Who better to teach you to fight than the guy who fought at the highest level for an extended period of time,” Anders said.

Not one to ever back down from a fight, Anders knows struggle. He has fought his way through life to have these opportunities. Now at 36-years-old, Anders has three more fights left on his UFC contract. He said that will take as long as it takes. Once he’s done, he wants to do just that of training others how to fight just like he once learned years ago.

“You can’t be scared to fail,” Anders said. “I’m not scared to fail. I’ll give it a go, and if it works out, it works out, and if not, what did I really lose?”

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