When Joanne Baer walked into the community thrift shop in Bluffton, S.C., earlier this year, the staff couldn't believe what she donated.

Baer, the ex-wife of actor Max Baer who is known best from his character "Jethro" on the television show "The Beverly Hillbillies," plopped down two hats once owned by University of Alabama football coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant.

The hats, a herringbone tweed and a houndstooth, are now available for purchase through auction with a $500 reserve. To view the auction or place a bid, go to www.leland.com and search lots "946" and "947."

Joanne said the hats were given to Max in the 1960s by Bryant when the couple were guests of the legendary coach on vacation at Point Clear.

"Everyone loved the character "Jethro" that Max played, especially southerners. Paul "Bear" Bryant was definitely a southerner," Joanne said. "He invited us down to Point Clear, Alabama in 1966 or 1967. He and Max would play golf together. Max liked to wear hats like this, and I liked to wear hats, too. (Bryant) gave them or sent them to (Max). I don't know if he wore them, or if he just had a whole bunch of them and gave one or two to Max.

"When I moved I had a whole bunch of hats and they happened to be in there with all the rest of them. That's how I happened to have them. We would go to Point Clear, Alabama and play golf with (Bryant), and he entertained us down there."

She never gave thought of attempting to sell them for profit, and instead donated them to God's Good Thrift Store, which receives all of the proceeds generated by the auction.

"I didn't care about the money," Joanne said. "I'm too old to care about any of that kind of stuff. As I was packing up to move, I had a lot of stuff, and I know they have a men's section, so that's why I gave them."

The hats have been worn, although Joanne is unclear if Bryant actually wore them.

"He always wore a hat, so I wouldn't be surprised if he wore these."

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.