I came to the University of Alabama in 1999 as an undergraduate student and immediately began my love affair with the Crimson Tide. I grew up in that other, far inferior fandom of the fair state of Alabama, I admit, but I have suffered for the Tide. Did I not see the lame duck last year under Mike Dubose; the treachery of Dennis Franchione; the abortion of Mike Price; the agony of the years under Mike Shula? Was I not on campus when Brodie Croyle stood in front of cameras and begged newly-minted President Robert Witt not to fire Price in-between spring practice and the season? Did I not stand in the freezing rain to watch my Tide lose a battle of FIELD GOALS to Auburn University? Was I not robbed of the chance to see my tide defeat that cow college in person through an eight year time span (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral)? Did I not see a murderer’s row of huge quarterbacks and running backs from teams like Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, and seemingly the entire rest of the SEC simply OUT MAN our poorly coached and under-sized defenses year after year. Was I not there? Did I not see it with my own eyes? Did I not DIE a little each time?

What remuneration can I have for these and MANY other offences. A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

I WANT it, and in as much as any fan can, I have EARNED it. We ALL HAVE. And so, now, have our current group of crimson warriors. It is there in front of you, TAKE IT! Vandals clad in a hideous shade of orange once again want to snatch it from you. Don’t let them; BEAT THEM OFF; EARN IT ONCE AND FOR ALL; TAKE IT!