{"product_id":"arizona-bear-down-plaque","title":"Original Bear Down Tribute Marker","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohn Byrd \"Button\" Salmon was a well-known figure across campus, quarterback for the football team and student body president. With his charismatic presence and athletic achievements, Salmon embodied the spirit of Wildcat student-athletes of his era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn October 1926, tragedy struck when Salmon sustained injuries in a car accident while returning to Tucson from Phoenix. Hospitalized at St. Mary's, his condition quickly became critical. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecognizing the severity of the situation, legendary Wildcats football coach James F. \"Pop\" McKale remained steadfastly at Salmon's bedside throughout his final days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore passing away, Salmon imparted a final message to his coach for his teammates, uttering the iconic phrase: \"Tell them … tell the team to bear down.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA year later the student body voted to make \"Bear Down\" the official slogan of all Wildcat teams and in 1939 the State of Arizona issued a proclamation declaring the phrase \"Bear Down\" to be the sole and exclusive property of the University of Arizona.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original Bear Down statue is officially for sale. A unique addition to any Arizona Wildcats collection, this historic and revered granite slab offers fans and collectors the opportunity to own an authentic piece of the Arizona University story. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis item comes with an official digital Certificate of Authenticity signed by Arizon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ea Athletics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CollectUofA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67747022962873,"sku":null,"price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5156\/5753\/files\/AUCTIONITEM_8.jpg?v=1792183543","url":"https:\/\/www.collectuofa.com\/products\/arizona-bear-down-plaque","provider":"CollectUofA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}