Reflections on a Championship

Pride.

That's what every Alabama Crimson Tide fan should be feeling right now. It's has been a very long 17 years since we could call our team Champions.

It was an amazing season with great memories; from the opening night dismantling of Virginia Tech, Terrence Cody's block against Tennessee, Roy Upchurch's touchdown against Auburn to name just a few.

You could go back to each game and find a signature moment.

The signature moment, to me, was seeing Mark Ingram fall to his knees in the end zone and raising his arms in celebration against Texas.

This was a season I'll never forget. For so many reasons. My favorite part of this has been sharing it with my family. Like most people, I inherited my love of the Crimson Tide from my dad. He was lucky enough to grow up in Birmingham during Bear Bryant's days. I was told stories about the Bear, the Snake and Broadway Joe.

Now my dad, my bother and I will be able to look back on the 2009 season and talk about Mount Cody, the Heisman and the return to glory.

I was only 11 years old when the Tide knocked off Miami in the Sugar Bowl. I remember the game mostly through highlights. I didn't see my first game in Tuscaloosa until my early 20s. I've never wavered, like all Tide fans I have supported the team through good and bad.

After 3-8 seasons, 6-7 seasons, losses to UCF, La-Tech and La-Monroe, four coaches and three NCAA scandals, it is nearly indescribable to be back on top. And this could be just the start.

Alabama brings back nine offensive starters, including Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram. Freshman running back Eddie Lacy, purported to have the same combination of speed and strength as Trent Richardson, will have a chance to earn some playing time. We'll get to find out if Nick Saban's recruiting classes were as good as advertised.

This has all the markings of being another great run in the history of Alabama football. And I am so proud to be a part of it.