Thousands celebrate Alabama’s national title
Published 11:28 pm Saturday, January 23, 2016
By Jay Reeves | The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA (AP) — Alabama football fans turned out by the thousands Saturday to celebrate the Crimson Tide’s fourth national championship in seven years, and some already are thinking about another title next season.
The team and coaches walked through throngs of screaming fans gathered outside Bryant-Denny Stadium after a short parade through campus. Coach Nick Saban and team captains held up the national championship trophies as the marching band played the fight song and red-and-white confetti fluttered through the air.
Temperatures were in the low 30s, and brisk winds made it feel even colder. Fans weren’t deterred by the weather, snapping up 10,000 free posters and standing in long lines to have their photos made with the championship trophies.
Richard McAbee put on a heavy coat, hood and neck muffler to keep warm after driving two hours to Tuscaloosa with his wife Amber for the celebration, but he said he wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
“Alabama, baby,” said McAbee, of Douglas. “Roll Tide.”
Alabama won the title earlier this month with a 45-40 victory over Clemson. With a red scarf around his neck, Saban said he loves the 2015 squad.
“The togetherness that this team had was something special and unique,” he said. “I think they accomplished what they did because they traded ‘I’ and ‘me’ for ‘we’ and ‘us.’ There was no selfishness on this team.”
Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, who is entering the NFL draft, made a final appearance in a crimson jersey.
“I love these boys like my brothers. It’s been a fun year,” he said.
Alabama is losing other key players beside Henry, but fan Robin Albano said he thinks the Crimson Tide can compete for another championship next year.
“They’re going to have a good defense and the offense will come along right behind it,” said Albano, wearing a red suit that was dotted with white elephants.