TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Thousands of Alabama fans came out to celebrate the Crimson Tide's national championship with fireworks and cheers on a chilly, damp Saturday, then headed home with a promise from coach Nick Saban.
Speaking from a stage erected at midfield of Bryant-Denny Stadium with the team behind him, Saban told a crowd estimated at 38,000 that he's not done winning at Alabama.
"I want everybody here to know this is not the end," Saban said. "This is the beginning."
Saban held aloft the crystal ball from the Bowl Championship Series trophy to thunderous applause and chants of "Roll Tide!" Fans went crazy when an announcer introduced six All-Americans, including running back Mark Ingram, the school's first Heisman Trophy winner.
The university staged the event to mark its undefeated season and national championship victory over Texas. Fireworks went off and the band played, but the biggest cheer came when Saban introduced the team.
"Because they are a team of champions, they were able to win the national championship," said Saban, whose speech was broadcast statewide.
Alan Britt got to the stadium 4 1/2 hours early to be first in line, and hundreds of people were waiting behind him by the time the gates opened. Britt wouldn't have missed the celebration.
"This doesn't happen everyday," Britt said. "It happens a lot more here than at other places, though. Roll Tide!"
The national title meant money for Kelly Hester, who spends her falls selling T-shirts, caps and 'Bama trinkets outside Bryant-Denny. She had nine tables full of championship merchandise for the event, and fans weren't just browsing.
"People have been starved for this," Hester said.
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Comments » 4
movol53 writes:
It might not be tomorrow or even the next day but our day is coming!!!! Better keep your eyes in the rear view mirror. The SEC will only get better and stronger with Tennessee becoming stronger.
seofeed writes:
It's better for college football when Alabama and Notre Dame do well. The history is so strong. But, it does suck for UT because they are the biggest traditional rival.
I can't even begin to explain how hard it was to root for them in the national title game.
woodwr#217203 writes:
Alabama is a classic team with only their color and numbered helmets, like Penn State.... and as easy to hate.
However getting to play the top team of the West once (or twice) every year is one advantage of UT's schedule. Beating Alabama can save any season, and it is about time.
DarthWilson writes:
The line use to go I hate Florida but I can respect Alabama. When Saban got hired I believed that respect would quickly become hate also. Don't get me wrong, I do not like Alabama. But when Alabama is strong and Tennessee is strong the SEC is at it's best. Two storied schools steeped in southern football tradition that can lay claim to two of the greatest coaches in colledge football history with a rivalry that outdates any living fan. To me this is the very essence of colledge football. Congrats Bama but as your coach said, better keep a watch on that mirror. Smokey may be biting at your heels very soon.
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