In terms of raw power and physicality I would say that the people of Alabama, and in particular the natives of Tuscaloosa, are among the best athletes in the world today.
Why do you think the Crimson Tide have been a dominant force in college football for several generations? Because people from Tuscaloosa are made of sterner stuff than most people.
We are a rare breed, and just growing up in Alabama makes you tough. Like many people I am a sports fan but not an athlete myself. I used to play ball back in high school, but when the time came to choose I went with a career in HVAC work instead of going to college in Tuscaloosa. Sometimes I regret not getting a higher education, but I needed to put food on the table for my family, and HVAC work was a great way to do that. The summer heat and humidity in the Tuscaloosa area is legendary for its intensity, which means a skilled A/C tech can make a very handsome salary. I love it here, because the work is plentiful, and Tuscaloosa is Ground Zero for so many different sports teams and programs. The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa has the lion’s share of the notoriety, of course, because of their football, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, and golf programs. But there are other schools in Tuscaloosa, like Stillman College, with robust sports programs. It seems that every night of the week there is a live sporting event somewhere in Tuscaloosa, which means there is always something fun to do.