Letter To Alabama Crimson Tide Seniors: Thanks For the Memories and Hard Work

From the standpoint of an avid fan, I just want to say thanks for the memories, guys. From your last days of high school, many of us have been following your moves on the practice field and at the games on Saturday. Waiting for each of you to blossom from a green recruit into a player on the field, helping the Crimson Tide make college football history.

And this class, your class, helped to get it done, with an extremely high level of play and success. In fact, all the way to the top, the highest honor bestowed on a team—National Champions. Mission Accomplished, a job well done.

Who knew that it would happen with this group? Anyone saying they did is simply not being honest.

Some as true freshman, those of you still here from 2006, thanks to redshirts, committed to this University when things were finally starting to change for the better, but Alabama was no where on the national radar with any kind of consistency. Mike Shula woo'ed some of you because of his good name and the hope of progress under his tutelage. Progress hit a speed bump in season one for you fellas.

And just to be clear, this Bama fan still loves and respects the Shula name. "Little Mike" grew up before our eyes, matured into a very good position coach in the NFL.

Then Momma called and he came home. He gave all he had to give to the program. It wasn't enough, but he laid it all out there and fought the good fight. His wife also gave us joy, giving birth to two of their children during his tenure. It was a tough term, and it took a toll on the Shula family.

After a 10-2 season in 2005, things turned sour at 6-6 (2-6) in 2006 and Mal Moore saw the need for change. Many of us saw it coming but were afraid to admit it out of respect for Coach Shula. A firing is never easy, and the departure of Shula was tough on the program. The hiring of Coach Saban was in no way foreseen. It was a reach for Coach Moore, but the rest is history.

Greg McElroy, I was in the Cotton Bowl when I heard that you were changing your commitment from Texas Tech to Alabama. It was great news on many levels. You have been a joy to watch from the first year on through 2010. Your character, high standards and ability to over achieve is an inspiration to fans across the state, the country and war zones across the middle east.

Brian Motley, I remember you playing with a broken hand on the defensive line. Giving your all to make us proud as a fan base. Humbling yourself before Coach Saban, knowing you didn't have the body mass he wanted on the defensive line. Changing to the offensive line was what it took to stay with Alabama and change is what you accomplished with grace and strength. High praise to you.

Earl Alexander, high school quarterback and All-State performer, growing up right in the backyard of Auburn football yet committing to the Capstone. Giving up the hope of being a college quarterback and becoming a talented receiver. Suffering through countless injuries, playing through pain.

The reception you made in the first drive against LSU in 2008 was a great catch. The run after the catch even better. The extra effort, reaching for the goal during the tackle was all out inspiring to me; only to fall on your shoulder and suffer another separation.

Many didn't see that, Earl, all they saw was the fumble. I saw and I understood. I prayed for you right there, right then. The fact that you are still on the team, toughing it out ever day speaks volumes on your character and your willingness to persevere under high expectation, extreme stress and physical pain. You are one of my favorite players on this team.

Taylor Pharr, Shades Valley, Irondale. You came to play and honored the role as student athlete. Working as hard as any on the practice field, you paid your wages in blood, sweat and tears. Suffering from repeated head injuries and headaches, the physical nature of the game finally took its toll, as it does to so many great players.

But you definitely played it smart and kept your nose in the books, contributing as much on the practice field as anyone. Fortunately, you were blessed with the opportunity to participate in many games, particularly in the magical 2009 season. Your efforts for this team are appreciated as much as any, bar none. In fact, the price you have paid was even higher than those on the field. Your contribution has not been lost on this fan.

Hats off to other medical casualties, Jake Jones, Terry Grant, Charles Higgenbotham, Milton Talbert and Charles Kirschman. If I have missed one, please forgive me, the oversight is not intentional.

Unfortunate as it may be, a few seniors would not even be recognized as roster players. Logan Thomas, J.B. Kern, Rob Ezell (5'10" 172 LB, stretched out and dripping wet) Mark Holt, Colin Gallagher and Michael DeJohn all deserve mention. Drew Bullard and Kyle Pennington, as well (listed as juniors on the roster, participated in the senior ceremony on Friday). Each of you and your contributions has been an essential component to the identity of every team at Alabama since 2006/2007.

The stars you played with and the memories collected along the way will last a lifetime. But the relationships developed during your tenure will make the greatest difference when football has passed. Stay with us, walk amongst us in the state and across the great lands throughout this country.

Luther Davis. You came to Alabama and took the brunt of criticism from the Pelican State fan base. Your family, in particular your father, took the harsh treatment from the classless fellows at work. In the end it was clearly worth it. Times like this teach you a lot about true friendship. True character.

You played as a freshman and gave up a redshirt year. In the long run it would have served you better to have an extra year for development, you made a sacrifice for the team. You have started your own family during the process and became a father. Through the personal hardships endured during your tenure, you became a leader and a man.

And to all the others, James Carpenter, David Ross, Nick Gentry, Chavis Williams, and Preston Dial, thanks to you all, as well. Thanks for raising your game to the level necessary to compete in this unbelievably tough conference.

Thanks for the memories created on the field of play, the championships that came in 2009 and the follow-up campaign in 2010. It has been a year with some despair, but many great moments, as well. Thanks for ending the six year funk against the in-state rival, at home and on the road.

Make your path in the world outside of football just as great. Your contributions are needed in this state and in this country. Your leadership, even more. When you are greeted with a Roll Tide, may it warm your heart and roll back off of you tongue with just as much vigor.

And as a footnote, let's go out as winners this Friday. State Champions is always the goal, each and every year. In fact, the Iron Bowl Championship is just as revered as any in the trophy case at the Bryant Museum.

When you hear the crowd erupt with cheer, know that I am there, my uvula resonating at the highest frequency possible on that day. When the day is over, champion or not, I will walk away with another memory of the sacrifices you and your teammates have made on behalf of Alabama Football. You make it great to be from Alabama.

Parting words from a master teacher, no one ever said it better:

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride—and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.

“Don't give up at half time. Concentrate on winning the second half."

“There is not a person alive who isn't going to have some awfully bad days in their lives. I tell my players that what I mean by fighting is when your house burns down, and your wife runs off with the drummer, and you've lost your job and all the odds are against you. What are you going to do? Most people just lay down and quit. Well, I want my people to fight back.”