The SEC Championship Game delivered some classic tweets, both from the Alabama Football Nation and from Florida Gators fans.
The SEC Championship Game delivered yet again when it came to the world of social media. From players to fans to media members, all used their platform to chime in on the Alabama-Florida game.
PRE-GAME
Outside of a few, the current Alabama roster was surprisingly quiet on social media leading up to the SEC Championship game. Deionte Thompson tweeted out a subtle message to “Do it for 4”, implying that the team would play for injured safety Eddie Jackson, while ArDarius Stewart tweeted out a screen shot of a face time call with fellow wide receiver Gehrig Dieter.
Embrace the moment! #Doitfor4
— Deionte Thompson (@playmaker_11) December 3, 2016
Florida wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland was upset that the media (and everyone else) was already writing the Gators off.
https://twitter.com/Tyrie_1/status/803309625693048832
Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was excited to have his family join him in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Falcons caught up with former Alabama football star Julio Jones to reflect on his time with the Crimson Tide.
With the SEC Championship here in Atlanta today, @Juliojones_11 reflected on his time with @AlabamaFTBL. pic.twitter.com/bsJFhH6m2F
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 3, 2016
As the game was close to kicking off, Twitter took the opportunity to let the jokes roll in at the expense of both Florida and Tennessee.
Florida is wearing orange jerseys so if you squint you can pretend you're playing today, Tennessee
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) December 3, 2016
Lots of #Gators filing in to the Georgia Dome #SECChampionship pic.twitter.com/nr18UjNfEB
— JC Shurburtt (@jcshurburtt) December 3, 2016
Florida fans appear to be held up in traffic on the way to the Georgia Dome.
— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) December 3, 2016
Gators trying to channel their inner Clemson. Doesn't work as well without Deshaun Watson. https://t.co/Ys98TdqN07
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) December 3, 2016
THE FIRST QUARTER
The first quarter of the SEC Championship Game was perhaps one of the most bizarre quarters in Alabama football history. Florida immediately marched down the field and scored. A predictable overreaction was all over Twitter.
Not sure what Alabama has been doing for the last week, but "practicing football" does not appear to have been on the list.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 3, 2016
The Gators clearly caught Alabama off guard by attacking from a nearby watering hole. pic.twitter.com/GIohcBv1eG
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 3, 2016
Florida's QB has a hot hand. They should keep throwing. Won't surprise me if they go deep on 1st or 2nd down.
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) December 3, 2016
Florida State fans took the early scoring drive as an opportunity to tweet at former FSU commitment (and now Alabama commit) Vandarius Cowan, who had a hilarious reply.
Fsu fans sit down .. Before I go get Lamar Jackson again
— VanDarius Cowan (@vandarius98) December 3, 2016
Former Alabama DB Will Lowery had some interesting things to say about Minkah Fitzpatrick early on.
Minkah Fitz has played stellar since moving to Safety... Top 10, maybe top 5 pick next year
— Will Lowery (@jwlowery29) December 3, 2016
Maybe Gary's most accurate comment ever - Minkah a little lazy w his CB technique on the TD after playing S...2-handed jam is always a no-no
— Will Lowery (@jwlowery29) December 3, 2016
Everyone seemed to have some issues with Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin in the first quarter. One account thought Lane might be focusing on the women of Houston, Texas instead of the game.
Lane, put down Tinder Houston.
— The Last Depth Chart (@TheSabanFactor) December 3, 2016
Did Alabama bring a tailback on this trip? Just wondering.
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) December 3, 2016
A Minkah Fitzpatrick interception set twitter ablaze.
Pick six. Florida's beautiful start has been Appleby'd.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 3, 2016
Oh, Austin Appleby. Alabama is eating good in his neighborhood.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 3, 2016
You knew an Applebee’s joke was coming.
A Florida cheerleader was not happy with Austin Appleby. Aren’t cheerleaders supposed to be supportive?
Male UF cheerleader next to me: "Holy f****** s*** Appleby sucks. I'd stick him in the face if he was next to me. Put Trask in!""
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) December 3, 2016
Finally, the first quarter came to a close and Twitter was mostly just confused by it.
WHAT. IS. HAPPENING.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 3, 2016
I've covered all 25 SEC championship games and I can say with great confidence that that was the wildest first quarter ever.
— Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) December 3, 2016
Football is crazy and that 1st quarter proves it!
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) December 3, 2016
THE REST OF THE GAME
Quarters 2-4 weren’t quite as eventful as the first one, but they did provide some decent tweets.
One Falcons fan wanted the Crimson Tide defense to spend the night and show up on Sunday in a different uniform.
Backup quarterback David Cornwell gave an interesting signal to the offense.
What kind of play is this dude trying to run? #SECChampionship pic.twitter.com/58se04KevD
— Zach Harper (@zachism) December 3, 2016
I have to know what the pelvic thrust signal is. It’s the signature Lane Kiffin deep ball, isn’t it?
Lane Kiffin's offense has some unique methods of signaling plays. pic.twitter.com/5JCE7Og2uX
— Justin King (@JustinKing) December 4, 2016
FSU writer Bud Elliott shook his head at Alabama’s defensive depth.
Mark Ingram liked what he saw when Alabama made a goal line stand. Another fan gave the Alabama DL a hilarious nickname.
That defense legendary #RollTide
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) December 3, 2016
GREAT WALL OF HELL NAWL
— NBA Champion Denver Nuggets (@TR3Y_) December 3, 2016
Alabama legend Cornelius Bennett was enjoying the Crimson Tide dominance.
Like I said grown men playing!
— Cornelius Bennett (@realcbennett97) December 3, 2016
Former Florida quarterback Treon Harris took to Twitter to blame offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, then quickly deleted it. Other users screen shotted it.
Treon deleted his tweet but I didn't pic.twitter.com/8fYUraWiaV
— Stephen Eyler (@Stephen_Eyler) December 4, 2016
The Belk Bowl’s official Twitter account sent out this hilarious message.
BREAKING: we can officially confirm that Alabama will not be invited to play in the Belk Bowl this year.
— Duke's Mayo Bowl (@DukesMayoBowl) December 4, 2016
Chipper Jones and Shannon Sharpe also took to social media to share their thoughts.
Florida and Bama must be recruiting 2 diff parts of the country. Bama has a team full of grown ass men!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) December 4, 2016
Damn,are they burning tires/did raw sewage spill in Atl today at the dome. My bad. It's that STANK A** Bama D. St Nick got one on his hands.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 4, 2016
POST-GAME
Many players and fans chimed in after the clock hit zero.
As Lane Kiffin’s time with Alabama seems to be coming to an end, whether it be before the playoffs or after, this fan summed up how we all feel about the offensive coordinator.
.@Lane_Kiffin thank you for a natty, 3 SEC titles and more cuss words than even the Navy would allow.
— Brad (@Brad2524) December 4, 2016
These are the non-football related things that I will miss about Kiffin. This would only happen to him.
Lane knocked Ryan Anderson's hat off during an interview. Ryan put Lane on the ground. pic.twitter.com/OhT3WdZZIj
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) December 4, 2016
Joe Namath sent out his appreciation for the Crimson Tide program.
As an Alabama fan I'm grateful to the team and coaching staff for the joy they've provided us this season. Congrats on the #SECChampionship
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) December 4, 2016
Tim Williams gave as quite the quote.
Tim Williams on his walk back to the locker room: "My stomach hurts, man. I ate too much gator."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) December 4, 2016
Several other notable twitter users sent out their thoughts.
Alabama makes something incredibly difficult look almost easy and they do it by taking your own hands and punching you in the face with 'em.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) December 4, 2016
Congrats to Alabama Crimson Tide. SEC Champions. #ROLLTIDE
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 4, 2016
Probably doesn't matter who gets in the playoff. Bama's pretty good.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) December 4, 2016
And finally, the current Alabama players sent out their post-game tweets.
Blessed more than ever!💯🏈🐘 #RingSzn
— Deionte Thompson (@playmaker_11) December 4, 2016
3 peat‼️
— Cam Sims (@Silkysims17) December 4, 2016
Roll with us or get rolled over. #3Times #RollTide pic.twitter.com/SsBweeZl6b
— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) December 4, 2016
"3 times in a row" 🎧💍💍💍
— Cole (@ColeMazza58) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/iam__mw3o/status/805227725573287936
https://twitter.com/JoshuaFrazier99/status/805230155883048960
Blessed to part of such a special group of guys and wouldn't want it any other way #SECChamp25
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallen93_) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/CalvinRidley1/status/805230841374900224
https://twitter.com/Anderson_365/status/805243484391227392
Lastly, lets all admire Chipper Jones replying to Colin Cowherd’s comment that the SEC is “Alabama and garbage.”
Haters wanna crush the SEC bcuz there aren't 5 teams anchored in the top 10 anymore. Can't keep that excellence forever!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) December 4, 2016