50 years ago this season I attended my first Alabama football game. A fan before, I was baptized on that day, and today still feel I feel blessed.
I was blessed to be a fan in the "Bear years" with the dominance of that particular era. I was blessed to be in school there when "things" were so personable that I would pass The Bear on a weekly basis at lunch at Druid City Drugs where he often grabbed lunch or sip coffee with Professor Clint Magee from Farrah Law School. His nod or the least acknowledgment from him was easily forthcoming and engendering the same allegiance that his players spoke of in later life.
I was blessed to be fan in our wandering years after The Bear uncertain as to whether we would ever see a program that would be regarded as preeminent again.
I was blessed to be a fan as Gene Stallings restored dignity, pride and uncompromising excellence to the program. His contribution to our University cannot be overstated.
As I watched our team in action yesterday I was overwhelmed by a feeling our how blessed I am today, in the present, to be a fan of this program. Folks, I do not think that the program has ever been in better shape as it is now. The Saban influence has been monumental. Consider the shape of the program upon his entry. Consider Mal Moore's wisdom in meeting Saban's demands...and I'm not speaking of the money. The installation of The Process on all levels (coaching, recruiting, facilities, academic/personal development of our athletes, etc) has taken our program straight to the top... emulated by so many other programs.
Watching our youngest players ever to play at such a high level of performance, and considering the wonderful recruiting underway deeply touched me for the blessing that I have been given as a Bama fan. Great days ahead are assured. I am so proud of what we are experiencing, and my gratitude is so deep to all of our athletes, coaches...past and present...I now know that the feeling of awe that I had 50 seasons ago as I emerged through the corridor at Legion filed to the view of deep green field, and the sounds of The Million Dollar Band was the beginning of one of the most treasured blessings of my life.
As an uninitiated member of the "old farts" I can say with authority that it is indeed great to be a Bama fan. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Bless you all.
I was blessed to be a fan in the "Bear years" with the dominance of that particular era. I was blessed to be in school there when "things" were so personable that I would pass The Bear on a weekly basis at lunch at Druid City Drugs where he often grabbed lunch or sip coffee with Professor Clint Magee from Farrah Law School. His nod or the least acknowledgment from him was easily forthcoming and engendering the same allegiance that his players spoke of in later life.
I was blessed to be fan in our wandering years after The Bear uncertain as to whether we would ever see a program that would be regarded as preeminent again.
I was blessed to be a fan as Gene Stallings restored dignity, pride and uncompromising excellence to the program. His contribution to our University cannot be overstated.
As I watched our team in action yesterday I was overwhelmed by a feeling our how blessed I am today, in the present, to be a fan of this program. Folks, I do not think that the program has ever been in better shape as it is now. The Saban influence has been monumental. Consider the shape of the program upon his entry. Consider Mal Moore's wisdom in meeting Saban's demands...and I'm not speaking of the money. The installation of The Process on all levels (coaching, recruiting, facilities, academic/personal development of our athletes, etc) has taken our program straight to the top... emulated by so many other programs.
Watching our youngest players ever to play at such a high level of performance, and considering the wonderful recruiting underway deeply touched me for the blessing that I have been given as a Bama fan. Great days ahead are assured. I am so proud of what we are experiencing, and my gratitude is so deep to all of our athletes, coaches...past and present...I now know that the feeling of awe that I had 50 seasons ago as I emerged through the corridor at Legion filed to the view of deep green field, and the sounds of The Million Dollar Band was the beginning of one of the most treasured blessings of my life.
As an uninitiated member of the "old farts" I can say with authority that it is indeed great to be a Bama fan. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Bless you all.
