Alabama uses cafeteria sign as a daily reminder of the national title loss
By Corey Long
Published:
There’s no doubt that Alabama football loves to win. But it hates to lose even more.
The wins and championships pile up under Nick Saban at such a rate that it’s easy to lose track.
The losses, however, are never forgotten. And in case you thought the program was ready to move on from its 33-18 loss to Georgia in the national championship game, the Crimson Tide haven’t and as long as the players have to go to the team cafeteria to eat they won’t forgot about it.
Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News reports that the runner-up trophy stays visible in cafeteria where players have dubbed it a “participation trophy.”
Offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. looks at the trophy as a reminder of how much the Tide hate losing.
The sign also says, “Are you happy with it?”
“Just a little motivation to see that everyday and it reminds you, ‘OK, this is what we’re really working for to change the outcome of the season,'” Ekiyor said. “Focused on being the best we can be this year to ultimately have a different outcome.”
“You made it but you didn’t do anything,” he said. “You didn’t win.
Alabama has lost the College Football Playoff national championship game twice, against Clemson in 2016 and last year. The Crimson Tide have won the CFP in 2015, 2017 and 2020.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
