Alabama Football: Team Was at Football Banquet When the News Broke

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer): Where were the Tide players when the news was announced that they'd be playing in the national championship game?

They were at their annual football banquet in Birmingham, Alabama.

Nick Saban was pulled from the room to do a quick interview with ESPN, but the players had their cell phones with them and heard the news that way from text alerts.

To say it made the banquet even more special was an understatement. Expect tweets and comments later after the banquet is over.

Recipients of special awards that are given to players each year at this banquet is listed below:

Iron Man Award: Chris Underwood, Jalston Fowler, Nico Johnson and Quinton Dial

Commitment to Academic Excellence Award: D.J. Fluker, Carson Tinker, Mark Baron, Cyrus Kouandjio, Trent Richardson and Barrett Jones

Outstanding Senior Scholar Award: Brandon Gibson and Brad Smelley

Unsung Hero Award: Hardie Buck, Will Lowery, Eddie Lacy and Jerrell Harris

Outstanding Defensive Performer Award: Mark Barron, Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw

Up-Front Award: Defense: Josh Chapman and Jesse Williams. Offense: Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker

Most Inspiring Player: Mark Barron and Dont’a Hightower

Defensive Achievement Award: DeQuan Menzie, Dre Kirkpatrick, Damion Square and Nick Gentry

Offensive Achievement Award: William Vlachos, Darius Hanks, Kenny Bell and Brad Smelley

President's Award: Defense: C.J. Mosley and Robert Lester. Offense: Barrett Jones and Michael Williams

Special Teams Award: Brandon Gibson, Dee Milliner and Vinnie Sunseri

Defensive Player of the Year: Dont'a Hightower, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw

Offensive Player of the Year: AJ McCarron and Marquis Maze

Pat Trammell Award: Alex Watkins and Alfred McCullough

Jefferson County Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award: Kerry Goode

Most Valuable Player: Trent Richardson

Captain Awards: Mark Barron, Dont’a Hightower and Trent Richardson