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Former Alabama football player announces campaign to run for mayor of Tuscaloosa
By Jake Rill
Published:
A former Alabama football player could soon end up as the mayor of Tuscaloosa.
On Thursday, Martin Houston, who played for the Crimson Tide from 1989-92, announced during a Facebook live event that he is running for mayor in Tuscaloosa. Houston is currently the senior director of membership growth at Alabama One Credit Union and is the lead pastor at Harvest Church. He also hosts “The Martin Houston Show” on Tide 100.9.
During his four-year football career at Alabama, Houston, who was a running back, rushed for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns over 45 games. For three seasons, he played for head coach Gene Stallings, who led the Crimson Tide from 1990-96.
If Houston is going to become mayor of Tuscaloosa, he’ll have to beat Walt Maddox, who has served in the position since 2005. Maddox recently announced his reelection campaign, so he’ll be looking to remain mayor moving forward.
Houston has laid out his plans for Tuscaloosa on his campaign site, HoustonForTuscaloosa.com.
“As a player and as a coach, I understand how important it is to have a process, a game plan and a vision,” Houston wrote on the site. “My vision is for us to reach our full potential and be that great city we know we can be.”
There have been 36 mayors in Tuscaloosa’s history, so Houston could become the 37th if he wins the election.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
