99, 98, 97, 96, 95 Days Til Kickoff

[Tidewater]

One and the same. A really under the radar great player.

I remember hearing about him getting shot and thinking, "Dadgummit. Bama sure could use him, but will have to go without him." Then I heard he was going to play anyway.
Respect.

 

[BamaHoHo]

93 Marty Lyons
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We are 93 days away from Alabama Football Kickoff! Continuing the Countdown with Defensive Lineman, #93, Marty Lyons.
Marty Lyons suited up for the Crimson Tide from 1975-78 on the defensive line. Alabama boasted a 31-5 record during Lyons' career, including a National Championship win. Lyons was a first team All-American in 1978 and a key contributor in one of the famed plays of Alabama football lore: The Goal Line Stand. Lyons is credited for his stiff reply of "Bout a foot, better pass" when Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina asked how far the ball was from the end zone in the famous sequence the concluded the 1979 Sugar Bowl. Lyons would be drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he'd play until 1990. Lyons was a member of the famed New York Sack Exchange, a dangerous defensive line combo that led the Jets to their first playoff berth since 1969 after tallying 66 sacks in 1981. He won the NFL's Man of the Year award in 1984 after establishing the Marty Lyons Foundation. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images

 

[BamaHoHo]

92 Quinnen Williams
Paul W. Bryant Museum

Continuing the Countdown to Alabama Kickoff! For 92 days away, we spotlight Defensive Lineman, #92, Quinnen Williams!
Quinnen Williams, a Birmingham native, originally committed to Auburn but shifted his commitment to Alabama, where he'd be rostered from 2016-2018. Williams redshirted his entire freshman season, but played in all 29 games during the rest of his career. After a successful National Championship campaign in 2017, Williams truly broke out in 2018, recording 19.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks en route to being named a unanimous All-American and first team All-SEC lineman. Williams would also take home the Outland and Bill Willis Trophies. He was selected 3rd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Jets where he currently plays. In 2021, Quinnen and Quincy Williams became the first pair of brothers to record a sack in and win an NFL game. In 2022, Williams received his first Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro selections. He is regarded as one of the top young talents on the defensive line in the NFL.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images

 

[BamaHoHo]

91 Warren Lyles
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We are 91 days from Alabama Football Kickoff and today's player spotlight is Defensive Lineman, #91, Warren Lyles.
Warren Lyles played for Alabama from 1978-81. He would garner playing time in all of his seasons, having the most success in 1981 with 11 credited tackles for loss. Lyles would be named a first-team All-SEC selection that season. Lyles is best remembered for his heroic 5-TFL performance against Baylor in the 1981 Cotton Bowl, which were crucial in the 30-2 win for the Crimson Tide. He resides in the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images

 

[BamaHoHo]

90 Jarran Reed
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We are 90 days away from Alabama Football Kickoff and today we spotlight Defensive Lineman, #90, Jarran Reed.
Jarran Reed first attended East Mississippi Community College where he'd contribute to a NJCAA National Championship during 2013. Reed transferred to Alabama for the 2014-15 seasons, where he would play all 29 career games and win the 2015 CFP National Championship with the Tide. In the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks took Reed 49th overall. Reed had a breakout season in 2018, tallying a career-high 10.5 sacks. He has since played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers and in March 2023 re-signed with the Seahawks on a 2-year deal.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images

 

[BamaHoHo]

89 Michael Williams
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We are 89 days from Alabama Football Kickoff and are continuing the countdown with Tight End, #89, Michael Williams.
Williams wore Crimson and White from 2008-2012. The tight end was a dual-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball and football, and came out as a 4-star recruit. Williams was a member of 3 National Championship teams while at Alabama, as the Tide took home the 2009, 2011, and 2012 titles. The tight end was known for his blocking prowess, contributing to the rushing success of elite running backs including Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy. It wasn't all blocking for Williams, who finished his career with 51 receptions, 503 yards, and 7 touchdowns. This included a touchdown reception in what would be his final game at Alabama - the 2012 National Championship against Notre Dame. Williams was selected for the Senior Bowl in Mobile and would be drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Lions would attempt to move Williams to offensive tackle, but would ultimately trade the tight end to New England, where he would contribute regularly as a starter and eventually earn a Super Bowl ring (the Patriots would win Super Bowl LI). Williams last played in the NFL in 2017. He is now the head football coach at Pickens County High School.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[crimsonaudio]

OJ Howard!

VIDEO: 88 Days till Alabama Football

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1666121714625916940

 

[BamaHoHo]

88 Ray Perkins
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We are now 88 days away from Alabama football and are continuing out Countdown to Kickoff with Wide Receiver, #88, Ray Perkins!
Ray Perkins played for the Crimson Tide between 1964-66 where he won 2 National and 3 SEC Championships. During his final season, he would be named captain and All-American. Perkins went on to play in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts from 1967-71 where he would appear in 2 Super Bowls, first losing to his college teammate Joe Namath's Jets in Super Bowl III and then winning Super Bowl V over the Dallas Cowboys. Perkins would start coaching with Mississippi State after he retired from playing and quickly worked his way up to being an NFL head coach with the New York Giants. He was chosen as the successor to Coach Paul Bear Bryant at Alabama following his retirement and ended up having a long 28-year coaching career, including a stint as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach. Coach Perkins passed away in December 2020.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Miller Forristall!

VIDEO: 87 Days till Alabama Football

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1666480953445830656

 

[BamaHoHo]

87 Dwayne Rudd
Paul W. Bryant Museum

87 days from Alabama kickoff! Today we count down with Linebacker, #87, Dwayne Rudd!
Dwayne Rudd played at the Capstone from 1994-1996. His successful career in crimson and white saw him earn first-team All-SEC honors his junior year. Rudd would forgo his final eligible year to declare for the 1997 NFL Draft and leave 'Bama with head coach Gene Stallings who resigned that season. Against Michigan in the 1997 Outback Bowl, Rudd would return an 88-yard interception for a touchdown, which broke the Outback Bowl record and set a new Alabama bowl record. Rudd would be selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. He would set the NFL record for single season fumble return yards with 157 in 1998 with Minnesota before playing for the Browns and Buccaneers. The 1998 second-team All-Pro last played in 2003.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

Miller Forristall!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1666480953445830656

Remember in 2019 when Alabama had to play duke because no one else in acc wanted to step up and play bama but then everyone scolded bama for playing duke.

 

[crimsonaudio]

86 Days till Alabama Football - A’Sawn Robinson with the interception to beat Tennessee and a frustrated Peyton Manning

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1666829089477459971

 

[BamaHoHo]

86 Keith McCants
Paul W. Bryant Museum

Continuing the countdown to Alabama Kickoff with Linebacker, #86, Keith McCants!
Keith McCants had an incredible career at Alabama from 1987-1989. Playing with fellow legend Derrick Thomas, McCants routinely produced from the linebacker spot. During his sophomore campaign, McCants finished second to only DT in tackles. He posted the team-lead in tackles in 5 games, including the 1988 Sun Bowl. In 1989, he was a unanimous All-American and a runner-up for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. His success led him to declare early for the 1990 NFL Draft, where he was thought of as a potential 1st-overall selection. The Buccaneers took McCants with the 4th overall pick and Coach Ray Perkins greatly admired his intensity. There was tension in Tampa Bay as Floyd Peters converted McCants to defensive end that would ultimately lead to the end of McCants time with the Bucs. He had stops with New England, Houston, and Arizona before retiring to become the first Black marine police officer in Alabama. McCants would eventually start cohosting the radio show Hear it Now! with Barry Edwards. He unfortunately passed away in September 2021.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[Tidewater]

86 Days till Alabama Football - A’Sawn Robinson with the interception to beat Tennessee and a frustrated Peyton Manning

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1666829089477459971

I really hate angering Peyton that way.

 

[BamaHoHo]

85 Howard Cross
Paul W. Bryant Museum

Today marks 85 days until Alabama football! To continue the countdown we have Tight End, #85, Howard Cross!
Howard Cross, an Alabama native, played for the Crimson Tide for 4 years. During his junior and senior years, Cross would be named All-SEC. His size made him a capable blocker and Cross would dominate the trenches at tight end. The Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the nation's best blocker, was among Cross' Alabama accolades. Cross served as the University's President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes twice and would go on to be drafted in the 6th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Cross would play in Super Bowl XXV with the Giants, making multiple clutch catches for first downs as the Giants would beat the Buffalo Bills 20-19. After his 13-year career, Cross would retire and move to broadcasting, and eventually into real estate.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[BamaHoHo]

84 Bill Battle
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We will be continuing the countdown to Alabama Kickoff with End, #84, Bill Battle.
Bill Battle is a true representative of the University of Alabama. Battle played from 1960-62, where he won the 1961 National Championship. The end would go on to begin his coaching career following his departure from Alabama, first with Army. Battle would be hired by Tennessee as an ends coach in 1966 and be promoted to head coach in 1970. At 29 years old, Battle was the youngest head coach in the country. He was forced out after the 1976 season when Volunteer-alumni Johnny Majors sought to return to Tennessee to coach the program. Battle was 59-22-2 during his head coaching tenure, winning 4 bowl games. Battle would go on to work with collegiate licensing, founding The Collegiate Licensing Company in 1981 which is now the largest such company in the US. Battle would then return to Alabama as the Athletic Director, where he would serve from 2013 until his retirement in 2017.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[BamaHoHo]

83 Kevin Norwood
Paul W. Bryant Museum

We're now 83 days away from Alabama Football Kickoff, so we are spotlighting Wide Receiver, #83, Kevin Norwood!
Kevin Norwood played for the Tide from 2009-2013. The wide receiver was a top prospect in the state of Mississippi. Norwood came to Alabama and joined a deep wide receiver room. He would get playing time as a freshman, but would really make an impact his junior and senior seasons when paired with AJ McCarron. Norwood would record 81 receptions for 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career with the Tide. A member of 3 National Championship rosters (2009, 2011, 2012), Norwood would be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 123rd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. Norwood would be traded to the Panthers in 2015, who would ultimately go to the Super Bowl but fall to the Denver Broncos. Norwood would go on to sign with the Chargers and Giants, and he last spent time on an NFL roster in 2017.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[BamaHoHo]

82 The "Wizard of Oz" Ozzie Newsome
One of my all time favorites.
Paul W. Bryant Museum

Starting the week off celebrating 82 days until Alabama Football Kickoff with none other than Tight End, #82, Ozzie Newsome.
Ozzie Newsome played for Alabama from 1974-77. The "Wizard of Oz" would play wide receiver and tight end during his career which saw him amass 2,070 yards and 16 touchdowns on 102 receptions. The then-SEC record 20.3 yards per catch stood for over 20 years. Alabama's Player of the Decade for the 1970s, Newsome was a 2-time All SEC selection and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. In the 1978 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns took Newsome in the 1st round 23rd overall. He would go on to have a stellar career with the Browns until his retirement in 1990, earning 6 All Pro and 3 Pro Bowl nods, plus being named on the NFL's 1980s-All Decade squad. Newsome is considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history. After retiring, Newsome worked his way up from a scout in the Browns organization through their 1996 relocation to Baltimore until he became their first General Manager in 2002 - the first Black GM in NFL history. Newsome won 2 Super Bowls as an executive with the Ravens in 2001 and 2013. He is regarded as one of the NFL's best drafters, being responsible for drafting Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden in 1996 - the first Ravens draft class, as well as Ed Reed in 2002 and future Hall of Famers Terrell Suggs in 2003 and Marshal Yanda in 2007. Newsome brought popular former Alabama players like Marlon Humphrey, CJ Mosley, Terrence Cody, and Courtney Upshaw to the Ravens organization throughout the last decade. Newsome remains with the Ravens organization but resigned as GM in 2018.
Credit to UA Athletics for the images.

 

[crimsonaudio]

81 Days till Alabama Football
Jase McClellan goes 81-Yards for a Touchdown vs Texas

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1668654557855985672

 

[DzynKingRTR]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1668654557855985672

this just reminds me how much I hate the idiot calling the game. 81 yard TD and he sounds like he is in a library. texas does it and he sounds like it is the greatest thing he has ever seen.