Remember this Alabama football team fondly for bridging the gap to the new era

This was not the season Alabama football fans were hoping for. It's easy to look at 9-3 and a ReliaQuest Bowl bid instead of the College Football Playoff as massively disappointing. Especially with where this program has been and how high the expectations are in Tuscaloosa as a result.

A 9-3 regular season is the worst result in 14 years. This is what a down year has looked like for Alabama football in the last nearly 20 years. And there haven't been many of them.

Kalen DeBoer and a new coaching staff will always be judged by who came before them. A GOAT who cast a bigger shadow than the Bear.

But while it's understandable to be disappointed and hope for more from DeBoer and the Crimson Tide moving forward, this particular team should be remembered fondly. No, not necessarily for the results on the field. But for the leaders who stayed and bridged the gap from the old era to the new. The guys who stayed when others left because the University of Alabama and that script-A meant something to them beyond an NIL paycheck.

And in the era of pay-for-play, that's a rare quality.

In particular, the team captains, the guys who will place their hands in cement at Denny Chimes should be remembered for just that.

Malachi Moore, the fifth-year senior who is one of the only guys left from Alabama's last national championship season in 2020. The guy who lost his cool against Vanderbilt and was scolded because he had so much Bama in him that he couldn't stand the thought of losing and letting down the fans and the university he loves so much.

Deontae Lawson, the redshirt junior who left it all on the field and blew out his knee in the Oklahoma game. The signal caller in the middle who went from being a leader on Saban's defense to helping the young guys learn a new system with Kane Wommack.

Tyler Booker, the mauling junior guard who talked the talk and always walked the walk. The guy who played with a mean streak and held others accountable all season long. The guy who said, no matter what happened, he would play in a non-playoff bowl game if it came down to it in an era when most projected first-round picks would opt out to preserve their health.

And Jalen Milroe, the polarizing quarterback. The guy who took more hate and grief from this fanbase over his two years as the starter than any player I can remember despite leading the team to a 21-5 record over the last two seasons. The guy who deserves the most credit for keeping the bulk of the roster together. The guy who commanded respect from the locker room. The guy who undoubtedly had his flaws but gave his all to the University of Alabama when he would have had a ton of options with programs that probably would have fit his skillset better.

Regardless of what happens in a few weeks in Tampa, I'll remember this team and those leaders for loving Alabama like we all do. They could've left like Isaiah Bond, Caleb Downs, and many others did.

They chose to stay.

I choose to remember them for that.