Pure class: Nick Saban sends in Landon Dickerson to help Alabama kneel out CFP National Championship victory
Alabama was well on its way to its 18th national championship, needing a pair of kneel-downs to put a final wrap on its 52-24 College Football Playoff National Championship Game win over Ohio State.
There was one thing left to do, and that was to send out one of its senior leaders the right way.
Landon Dickerson wasn’t expected to play after tearing his ACL late in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship win, but dressed out and led the pregame huddle with his offensive line prior to Monday night’s game.
But in a pure show of class by Nick Saban, he put in his senior center to snap the ball to Bryce Young for a pair of “victory formation” plays to bleed out the clock.
Landon Dickerson tore his ACL in the SEC Championship Game.
Alabama put him on the field in the final seconds to snap the victory formation.pic.twitter.com/oBJTdtrNv2
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 12, 2021
Dickerson has overcome so much during his college career, working past an injury-riddled 3 seasons at Florida State before becoming one of the country’s most dominant interior lineman at Alabama. And Saban made sure one of the anchors of the Tide’s dominant offense ended his career the right way.
Was nice to see him get those snaps.
I hope his knee is ok. Glad he got to have a little fun tonight. Still has a long road of rehab.
THIS. Pure respect for giving this kid his moment.
Total class!
I don’t know why but hearing this gave me chills (wasn’t able to watch the game). This is awesome.
Saban=class act. Congrats Bama
Kiffen is going to elevate Ole Miss to new levels. Already has… much respect to you.
Saban IS the gold standard in coaching. Players change, coaches change, competition changes, but his program is ALWAYS competing for championships. Rockne, Bryant, Saban…a class of their own.
Yep. I’d puf Saban at the top of that group though.
As an opposing fanbase, you definitely want to beat the guy but you also realize that he is probably the greatest ever and you have to tip your hat to him and in victory and the rare defeat the dude is nothing but class.
That was very sweet! I was surprised to see him dressed out but even more seeing him trotting out there – he has his Championship Game Memory!
As soon as I saw him all dressed out, I figured he’d get in there. That was a really nice thing to see.
I hated to see Waddle come up limping after his first reception. I hope he is okay.
Waddle looked like he was in incredible pain. Not sure that was the best thing for him coming back that soon from a broken bone.