People talk about the greatness of Nick Saban, the talent of DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris, and Mac Jones – but I don’t know that enough people truly recognize the heart that the 2020 National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide has. This is a group of guys that wanted to win a championship for each other. In a season dictated by covid protocols and the ever-looming threat of shutting down completely, the Tide fought hard and they fought together to become one of the greatest college football teams of all time. Center Landon Dickerson is one of those big time heart guys that helped instill this culture along the offensive line.
Dickerson is a fighter – having battled injuries throughout his entire career at Florida State. After coming to Tuscaloosa as a graduate transfer, the Tide moved him from guard to center, and he managed to win the Rimington Trophy this season because of it. Unfortunately, that injury bug came back to bite him in 2020. Dickerson made it all the way to the SEC Championship and then boom – torn ACL.
Viewers were somewhat surprised to see him dressed for the game last night, but it’s a good thing he was. When the game was well out of reach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Alabama offense was tasked with simply taking a couple of knees and running out the clock, Saban put his senior award-winning center into the game to snap the ball.
Dickerson deserved this moment. How cool. pic.twitter.com/CLVjtCgOcj
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 12, 2021
I’m not crying you’re crying.
What a moment, and what a classy move by the head ball coach. This guy committed so much to winning this championship – from being a guy that his teammates loved and wanted to play for to outright dominating at his position. The guy earned it, and thankfully, he got his moment in the title game. He was even the one to carry Saban across the field after the clock ran out and they were officially champions.
And, man – how about this group of guys that came back to finish the job? Guys like Harris, Alex Leatherwood, Smith, and Waddle – that vaunted 2017 recruiting class that came back to fight for this National Championship. The seniors, like Dickerson, who wanted to remind the college football world that Alabama wasn’t going anywhere. People have Alabama fatigue, sure – but this team showed a lot of gumption to get to where it did.
Dickerson will go on to play on Sundays. I think the injury concerns will likely keep him from being a first round selection, but if he can stay healthy, he absolutely has first round talent. Regardless, last night was special, and one Tide fans won’t soon forget.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
