Don’t
expect me, a devout Bama fan whose allegiance to the Crimson Tide began when I
was knee-high to a grasshopper, to be dispassionate about tonight’s national
championship game between my beloved boys from Tuscaloosa and the Clemson
Tigers.
My loyalty dates
back to the days of legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant who returned to his alma
mater in 1958 and brought the Tide’s football program into dominance by winning
national championships in 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978 and 1979. The “Bear” was immensely beloved and his
legacy lives on in the Houndstooth apparel seen in every stadium where the Tide
plays. Coach Bryant won 15 conference
championships, was named College Football Coach of the Year three times and was
posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald
Reagan. Only one other football head
coach, Earl Blaik, has ever received the nation’s highest civilian award.
In
1986, the “Bear: was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. The ultimate symbol of coaching excellence in
collegiate football, the College Football Coach of the Year Award was renamed
in his honor.
This past Saturday, according to AL.com, Clemson players were telling the media they are tired of Alabama living off its reputation.
This past Saturday, according to AL.com, Clemson players were telling the media they are tired of Alabama living off its reputation.
Mackensie Alexander, Clemson's top cornerback, believes Alabama's favored status is based more on what the Crimson Tide has historically done than what it'll do against the Tigers in Arizona. The outspoken star told a group of reporters, "You guys know we've got a better team.
"We are 14-0, and we were underdogs last week, it's all a brand thing," Alexander said. "Everyone cares about the brand, the Alabama brand. I understand it's a lot of fans, and they've done it for a long time, but this is a new year, and it's our time."
The
Crimson Tide has played their hearts out on the field. Standards have been raised; all built upon
the most storied program in football history.
Their greatest achievement lies ahead tonight in Alabama’s quest for
National Championship No. 16. The
Clemson Tigers will try and fail to
knock the Tide off their pedestal.
Not
this year Clemson. Not this year!
ROLL TIDE ROLL!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please scribble on my walls otherwise how will I know what you think, but please don’t try spamming me or you’ll earn a quick trip to the spam filter where you will remain—cold, frightened and all alone.