An Open Letter to The Crimson Tide

To the University of Alabama football program:

Let me state up front, there are millions of people who have had your back for as long as I can remember. Many have been loyal fans longer than your current players have been alive. I am among those, with forty-plus years of solid support. In fact, I feel justified in saying your fan base is one of the greatest in college football.

That said, I must ask; what has happened to that long-standing tradition of consistent success, established by real men whose blood, sweat and tears went into making you one of the best football programs in the history of the sport?

Apparently the winning legacy of Wade, Thomas and Bryant – who accepted nothing but perfection – has been lost on this new breed of Alabama player. Where is the heart that guys like Barry Kraus, Ken Coley, Tommy Wilcox and others displayed every time they put on the crimson jersey? Where is the drive to achieve victory that leaders like Kenny Stabler, Pat Trammel and Joe Namath carried on the field? I’m not sure today’s Tide has any true leaders on the roster.

I – and thousands like me – am saddened by the lack of confidence in this team’s dedication. When are the excuses going to stop? How long are we going to have to endure the mediocrity, which insults every former player who sacrificed to win championships?

Tide fans can only hope Nick Saban can teach these young men that SEC football is not a party. I want the coach to convince future stars like Julio Jones, Burton Scott and Tyler Love that playing for the Crimson Tide is serious business. We need talented leaders at Alabama whose actions do their talking on the field.

This is, after all, The University of Alabama. We win championships! We do not accept anything less! Why should we?

After having just two seasons this decade of more than seven wins, and going 13-13 the past two years, it is high time we find the fortitude to get back where we belong. I hope coach Saban is as hard and demanding as some might say. That is the only hope we have left.

The table is set. We have had the eleventh, the tenth, and the number one classes of recruits over the last three years. We’ve had our full limit (85) for about three years running. We have one of the best head coaches in the game. We have depth and quality competition at all positions. Like I mentioned before, there are no excuses left to make.

I remember what it was like to go into Bryant-Denny Stadium and know our opponent simply could not beat us. Let me assure you Bama, all your fans want to feel that way again. They long for their thirteenth national title.

Though my honesty isn’t following the party line, I speak for those who fill the stands, who buy the merchandise, and don’t have the public forum this commentary offers. Besides, there is nothing wrong with lofty goals and great expectations. They are the building blocks of champions.

I want all Tide fans that read this column to refuse to accept the status quo. I believe Coach Saban has the positive attitude and strength to energize this program. However, he can do nothing if the players and the fans refuse to change their negative ways.

I may be pushing The Process along faster than conservative fans or even Saban want. Maybe they don’t care what I think down in Tuscaloosa. Believe me, if they win only seven games this year they will.

I expect an Alabama football player to physically out-work his opponents like Wallace Gilberry. I demand Bama players watch more film than any other team – see Demeco Ryans. I want Coach Saban to drive this team as hard as Bryant drove his.

Time is growing short. The window is open. As far as I’m concerned, we’re burning daylight.