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Alabama Nation Celebrates
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2015 Crimson Tide Football Honored
Photo Credit: WIAT CBS 42
It was a day of parades, speeches, food and fun with fellow Crimson Tide football fans. It was laughter, memories, reflection on this season, past season and even a brief mention of the future.
Mostly, it was a day of allowing Alabama Crimson Tide fans to show their love to a team that battled back, and as head coach NICK SABAN said, faced "12 elimination games" following the loss to Ole Miss in this same town.
Everyone kept the speeches brief, from the college dignitaries to the trophy-presenters to the team captains and right up to the head coach himself. But it was heart-felt.
Voice of the Crimson Tide, ELI GOLD, did his usual excellent announcing job introducing all the dignitaries, team captains, the team and Saban. Gold spoke of how remarkable this senior class was, posting a 50-6 record over four seasons, an SEC record and ties the NCAA four-year record. He pointed out that this class has been part of three SEC championships, four New Years bowl appearances and two national championships.
Yes, it's the 16th National Championship. And this one championship for this particular team was the one stressed by Nick Saban. You could tell he was filled with pride.
Quarterback JAKE COKER was the first of the four Tide captains to briefly speak. He thanked everyone for coming out, then said, "...I've never had so much fun playing football in my life, and ya'll (the fans) have been the biggest part of that, and I can't say how much I appreciate ya'll coming out. Thank ya'll for this year and thank ya'll for everything.
Next up was linebacker REGGIE RAGLAND, who said, "If it wasn't for my team mates this year I wouldn't have had the year I had. They supported me through the good times and the bad times. They know I had a lot of bad times, and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I'm at now. Roll Tide."
Center RYAN KELLY was next and thanked everyone for coming out. He said, "You know, I'm very fortunate that I can always call this place my home. It's because of all the people in the stands today, all the fans who made playing here so special, all the guys who are standing behind me (the team) who are truly brothers to me, all the coaches who have put so much work into making us into men. So, I'd just like to say thank you for everything so far. It's been an incredible opportunity and Roll Tide."
Then came running back DERRICK HENRY who immediately thanked everyone for coming out. He said, "I love these boys...love our brothers. It's been a fun year. It's unbelievable. You know, God's been good to us. Plus won the SEC two years in a row, the national championship, me bringing Alabama the second Heisman Trophy and it's been unbeliveable...the coaches, the team, the nutritionists, the trainers...it's just an unbelievable year. God's been very good to us. I've been very fortunate. Roll Tide."
Eventually it came time for Saban to speak. He was presently the national championship trophy and then addressed the crowd.
Saban thanked the fans for coming out, the dignitaries and the usual greeting...including "braving the cold" and the conditions of the morning. He said that this kind of spirit, though, "exemplifies what the University of Alabama stands for, and that kind of spirit characterizes what this team was all about this year.
"You know, I've said it many times how much I love this team. The togetherness that this team had was something special and unique...and I think they accomplished what they did because they traded 'I' and 'me' for 'we' and 'us', and there was no selfishness on this team. And everybody helped everybody be accountable to do what they needed to do so that we could improve and accomplish something of significance that can create a memory for the rest of all of our lives."
He then went on to explain that those memories were for the players, coaches, the fans, the people who support the program and everyone.
He then spoke of the hard work and sacrifice made by this team and how the fans should appreciate it. Saban said all should really appreciate facing "12 straight elimination games, after the Ole Miss game. The resiliency, the competitive character that this team showed in being able to do that...and even coming from behind in a national championship game I think really shows the spirit that made this team something special. And I hope everybody appreciates that.
"So, I hope we all remember this team not only for the skill that we have, the great players that we had, the great coaching job that our staff did, but you also remember this team for the heart that they played with and the character they showed as competitors in winning this championship that I think is really the most special of all...because of what this team was able to accomplish.
"So, this celebration is really not about all the other championships we won, or how many we won, or how many we won in the last seven years. This championship and this day is for this team...and what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do. So, we are here to show gratitude for this team, this group of guys and all that they did to make it an exciting year for all the fans and all of us as coaches and it will give us a memory that will live even beyond our lives."
He then referenced the Walk Of Champions and the championship plaques representing all the championship teams of seasons past. He mentioned how those players had a "memory for a lifetime" but that their "legacy lives on forever" and all of the Alabama fans are able to enjoy that memory created by them. Then he said, "That's something that this team accomplished that will happen too."
He then offered a personal thank you to the administration, the fans, all who supported this team, the players and coaches "who worked so hard to make this experience and this season such a special one."
Saban then concluded, "But with every thank you goes an obligation...something that we owe you...and we owe you a special thanks as a team for all your support, all the spirit you provided, but we've also given you a memory that you can remember for the rest of your life...and hopefully a program that you can be proud of in terms of what we've accomplished, but also in what we'll accomplish in the future. So, thank you very much, and Roll Tide. Thank you."
Saban was of course interrupted a few times with cheering and applause as he spoke, and received a rousing Roll Tide and cheers and applause when he concluded.
It was a great season. It was a great celebration.
Numerous recruits, some of which were commitments, showed up for the celebration. Spotted were Gordo's five-star Ben Davis, Carver-Montgomery five-star Mack Wilson and Torrance, California five-star Mique Jarez, all linebackers. Others there were wide receiver commit Tyler Simmons, Noxubee Country five-star defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons, West Point four-star offensive lineman Scott Lashley and Starkville four-star defensive lineman Kobe Jones.
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Senior Day Produces Sweep For Bama Swimming & Diving
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Overall Alabama won 21 of 36 events today, including sweeping the men's 200 freestyle, both the men's and women's 100 backstroke, women's 100 and 200 breaststroke, women's 200 butterfly and men's 500 freestyle races.
The Crimson Tide will open the championship portion of its season in Columbia, Missouri on February 16th.
