Social media exploded Monday evening after the Alabama Crimson Tide won their 15th National Championship – which also happened to represent back-to-back championships and three title wins for the team in the last four years.
For most Bama fans, the win was, to simply put it, sweet – due in large part to the fact that they didn’t feel their team was given proper credit for the season they had.
Russellville resident Rodney Cox was one such fan who said he felt the Tide had been vindicated after a hard-fought title win.
“This win was probably a little sweeter than any of the rest of the championships simply because of what has went unnoticed,” Cox said.
“Bama lost four significant starters over the course of the year and to have fought through that and bring another championship home is really a testament to what Saban is doing there. Basically what you are seeing is a dynasty being formed at the University of Alabama.”
Cox said Saban’s leadership as well as several other factors are the very reasons why he thinks his team could be in the same spot next season.
“I don’t see any reason to not believe Bama will contend for another championship next year,” Cox said.
“The core of their defense will be back along with standout freshmen Amari Cooper and TJ Yeldon. And most importantly, AJ McCarron will be back under center.
“We’ll have some great veteran players returning but the way Saban is recruiting right now, we could also see some really great talent coming in that could be the start of many championships in our future.”
In addition to vindication for a much-deserved win, the happiness over Monday’s title win has a lot to do with loyalty and pride. There are many Tide fans who are simply glad to have the team they’ve supported their whole lives be back on top.
Rita Barton, the parks and recreation director in Phil Campbell, said she was glad to see Alabama come out of the game as winners.
“This win meant everything to me and my family because we’ve always been Bama fans,” Barton said.
“I’m so proud to be one and to be so dedicated to our team. It was wild at my house during the game when we were cheering. People in our neighborhood probably heard all the screaming and shouting.
“I’m just ready for the season to start again, like I always am, because I think it’s going to be even better next year.”
Someone else who has always been an Alabama fan is Russellville businesswoman Wanda Myrick, who said cheering for the Tide is a family tradition that is very important to her.
“My daddy was an Alabama fan so I’ve been an Alabama fan since before I can even remember,” she said, “and it’s the same way for my son, Josh.
“We watched the game together and it’s special to get to share those times with him. We were jumping up and down, knocking things off the entertainment center and just enjoying the victory.”
Myrick said the win was doubly special because she personally remembers a time when the Crimson Tide just couldn’t seem to get past the luck of the Irish.
“I was in Birmingham the two times we played Notre Dame there and lost to them,” she said. “It was like we just had this mental block when it came to playing their team.
“Remembering back to those games, one that was in the rain, and how it felt to lose made winning this game, especially so dominantly, very exiting.
“I can finally say I’ve witnessed Alabama beat Notre Dame and it’s great to see Coach Saban establishing his own dynasty there in Tuscaloosa just like Coach Bear Bryant did.”