Alabama Players Share What the Iron Bowl Means to Them

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban known as it one of many biggest rivalry video games in faculty soccer. 

For some gamers from the state of Alabama, the Iron Bowl means a bit of extra. Crimson Tide beginning offensive lineman Javion Cohen went to Central Excessive Faculty in Phenix Metropolis, Alabama about 45 minutes from the Auburn campus. 

Cohen was as soon as dedicated to the Tigers earlier than flipping to the Crimson Tide and loved celebrating Alabama’s Iron Bowl win in Jordan-Hare Stadium final yr. 

A couple of weeks later, he posted video on social media trolling Auburn with the “crimson crane” because the Tigers practiced for the Birmingham Bowl. Cohen stated he needs to deal with issues with a bit of extra sportsmanship this time round, however understands how a lot this sport means.

“It’s an enormous sport, not just for me, however for this complete facility, for your complete state of Alabama,” Cohen stated Tuesday. “Everyone is aware of the implications of this sport whatever the document, no matter the place we’re. Everyone knows this can be a sport that you just need to win. It’s a resume sport. And I plan on preventing as onerous as I can and making an attempt to ensure me and my teammates get again to the Alabama normal.”

Cohen is certainly one of 45 gamers on the Crimson Tide roster from the state of Alabama with together with the likes of kicker Will Reichard, defensive again Kool-Support McKinstry and defensive lineman DJ Dale. 

Though Dale didn’t develop up an Alabama fan, he acknowledges the importance of enjoying within the sport. 

“That is one thing within the sport you dream of enjoying in, being a child from Birmingham, so it’s a dream come true,” Dale stated. 

Final season, McKinstry made the important thing cease on protection as a real freshman for Alabama within the fourth extra time that arrange the game-winning two-point conversion from Bryce Younger to John Metchie III. Will Anderson Jr. stated final yr’s sport holds his two favourite Iron Bowl recollections.

“When Kool-Support acquired that cease, he deflected the move in the long run zone,  after which when Bryce went down and the offense went down and scored,” Anderson stated. “I feel these two moments had been the most important moments ever. That’s simply as a staff. I used to be so glad… These moments proper there are moments that you just cherish endlessly as a result of these are the moments that you’ve together with your brothers that you just spent all offseason working onerous with.”

Younger grew up in California, however he is not shying away from the importance of this sport, even after already cementing his title as an Iron Bowl legend with the comeback efficiency final season. 

For the primary time since 2018, Alabama will play in entrance of a full crowd in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Iron Bowl for the reason that final residence sport within the collection was limited-capacity crowds because of COVID. The gamers are excited concerning the alternative to cement one other chapter within the legacy of the rivalry this Saturday. 

“The historical past on this rivalry is one thing that’s going to proceed to hold on, whether or not I’m right here or gone, that’s simply part of it,” Cohen stated. “Exhibiting some sportsmanship could be suggested in fact. However it’s a brand new yr, a brand new season and simply prepared to complete the week 1-0.”

See additionally:

Greatest Rivalry Actually Not Up for Debate, Alabama-Auburn

The right way to Watch the Iron Bowl: No. 8 Alabama vs Auburn

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