🏈 Coach Saban's National Championships...

sean

el jefe
Member
Which one is your favorite?

His first in 2009 was almost shocking. Not having won one since 1992, it was almost surreal after they won. Waiting 17 years, it seemed like a dream at first. I remember walking down to the kitchen from my bedroom as my mom was coming up to the kitchen from the den. She held both hands up with fists and yelled "NATIONAL CHAMPS!" That made me smile. I was actually more happy that she was happy. Little did we know that later that year (2010) my dad would pass away. So I'm glad he was able to witness one more before his passing.

But I think my favorite would have to be the 2017 National Championship against UGA. Seeing Tua come in as a true freshman and make a game-winning pass to true freshman DeVonta Smith was just pure elation. The 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2020 games were awesome, too. But for some reason, the one in 2017 just felt different for me. I guess because BAMA lost to Auburn at the end of the regular season, and that put a damper on an otherwise perfect season. But then they beat Clemson handily in the Sugar Bowl, then beat UGA (who'd beaten AU in the SECCG a month earlier) in the CFPNC on that iconic throw and catch...forever known as "2nd and 26".

Just seeing Tua drop back, then heave that ball toward the end zone and DeVonta run under it and make the catch in stride just as he goes into the end zone was a thing of absolute beauty. And it's something I'll never forget. I remember jumping out of my chair and yelling when it happened. I watch the clip of that play every so often. Sometimes I'm just having a shit day and I want something that will make me smile...and that video will certainly do it. There are other videos that make me smile, but that one will make me smile AND make me instantly feel better and forget about whatever caused me to have a shitty day that day.

I've been alive for 10 national championships won by BAMA; 3 by Coach Bryant, 1 by Coach Stallings, and 6 by Coach Saban. But that one in 2017 will always be my favorite. I hope there are at least a couple more before I depart this place. But if not, I'm proud to have been witness to as many as I have. And I will cherish each and every one of them. But that 2017 game will always hold a special place in my heart.
 
I have been around awhile like you and I have seen championships under Bear, Stallings and Saban. I cannot even fathom what it is like being a fan of another team and not having the same standard and expectation that we have at Bama. The greatness that we have witnessed at Bama is unmatched by any program.

With that said, I have a lot of favorites for different reasons, the goal line stand, stallings 1992 championship and 2009 after the dark years. If I have to pick one it would be the 2012 beatdown of Notre Dame because we had a lot of payback to give those guys. That is one game I tried to talk my dad into going to. Would have been great to have seen that game with him especially now that he is gone. Dad passed away a couple of years ago. He got to see the 17 straight beat downs over the Viles which was great and of course all the national championships even the early 60's. I did not see Bears first national championships and did not recall any in the 60's since as I was born in 1964.
 
Been around for 10, too young to remember the ‘73 Natty by Coach Bryant. ‘92 is special to me because after I stepped away from football after the ‘90 season, guys that I was teammates with and came in with, won it all! As far as my favorite Saban Natty, I’ll go with the revenge game in NOLA to win the ‘11 Natty. I will say that the ‘12 beatdown of the Domers was SWEET to watch in person.
 

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