An estimated 40,000 Crimson Tide fans turned out to celebrate the Alabama Crimson Tide football team’s 17th national championship with a parade and trophy presentation in Tuscaloosa Saturday.
On a day in which the weather seemed custom-made for the celebration, the team paraded by in position groups from Denny Chimes down the Walk of Champions to the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium. They tossed beads Mardi Gras-style and lobbed footballs emblazoned with the 17th national championship logo.
Fans gather on the parade route for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Million Dollar Band marches in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Alabama Crimson Tide running backs toss beads and footballs in the parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Players and coaches joined fans in the parade and trophy presentation to celebrate the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 17th national championship. (Amelia B. Barton)
Crimson Tide cheerleaders march in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough (9) celebrates with fans. (Amelia B. Barton)
Fans gather on the parade route for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Alabama running back Damien Harris (34) celebrates with fans. (Amelia B. Barton)
The Million Dollar Band marches in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Alabama offensive linemen Matt Womack (77) and Ross Pierschbacher (71) celebrate with fans. (Amelia B. Barton)
Alabama team captains celebrate the national championship. (Amelia B. Barton)
Nick and Terry Saban ride in the national championship celebration parade. (Kent Gidley)
Nick and Terry Saban ride in the national championship celebration parade. (Kent Gidley)
Nick and Terry Saban ride in the national championship celebration parade. (Kent Gidley)
The Million Dollar Band marches in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
A giant elephant travels down University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa for the parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
All of those involved in the Alabama football program got recognized with a spot in the parade. (Robert Sutton)
All of those involved in the Alabama football program got recognized with a spot in the parade. (Robert Sutton)
Nick and Terry Saban ride in the national championship celebration parade. (Robert Sutton)
Alabama offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman (75) marches with fellow team captains in the parade. (Robert Sutton)
Alabama’s new offensive coordinator Michael Locksley rides in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Million Dollar Band marches in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Fans gather on the parade route for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Crimson Tide cheerleaders march in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
Nick and Terry Saban ride in the national championship celebration parade. (Robert Sutton)
The Million Dollar Band marches in the national championship celebration parade. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
The team’s coaches passed by in Mercedes-Benz convertibles and the Million Dollar Band played and marched. Crimson Tide cheerleaders also marched as did trainers, staff and representatives of Nick’s Kids, the foundation started by head coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry.
Even before the parade started, fans lined University Boulevard and began yelling “Ala” on one side of the street with the fans on the other side replying “Bama” until both sides unified in a hearty “Roooollll Tide!”
The parade ended at the stadium where this year’s team captains spoke along with Saban, Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and AFCA Associate Executive Director Gary Darnell.
“What you do, the passion that you have is what makes being a coach at the University of Alabama and a player at the University of Alabama something that’s extremely, extremely special – beyond words for me to really explain,” Saban told the fans.
Nick Saban speaks at the national championship celebration. (Kent Gidley)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches confetti fall at the national championship celebration. (Amelia B. Barton)
Nick Saban speaks at the national championship celebration. (Robert Sutton)
An estimated 40,000 fans turned out for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Robert Sutton)
Nick Saban speaks at the national championship celebration. (Kent Gidley)
Terry and Nick Saban celebrate with fans. (Robert Sutton)
Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (20) speaks to fans. (Robert Sutton)
An estimated 40,000 fans turned out for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Robert Sutton)
Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne speaks at the national championship celebration. (Robert Sutton)
Celebrating Alabama’s national championship were, from left, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, and head coach Nick Saban. (Amelia B. Barton)
An estimated 40,000 fans turned out for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Kent Gidley)
Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) speaks at the national championship celebration. (Kent Gidley)
An estimated 40,000 fans turned out for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Amelia B. Barton)
Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (20) speaks to fans. (Kent Gidley)
Nick and Terry Saban celebrate with fans. (Kent Gidley)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans speaks to fans. (Kent Gidley)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban at the national championship celebration. (Amelia B. Barton)
Alabama center Bradley Bozeman (75) speaks to fans. (Kent Gidley)
An estimated 40,000 fans turned out for the Alabama Crimson Tide national championship celebration. (Amelia B. Barton)
Nick Saban speaks at the national championship celebration. (Amelia B. Barton)
“We have the best fans in the world,” Saban said. “You all are the best fans in the country. Today, we have the best team in the country and I think your support in coming out today makes this one of the best days and the best memories that each one of these young men can have and makes all of the hard work that they did worthwhile.”
Saban praised the resiliency of this championship team having overcome multiple injuries, a late-season loss to Auburn and trailing after the first half of the National Championship Game. He said he wants those seniors and those leaving early for the NFL draft to take away lessons learned during their time at Alabama, especially in the adversity they overcame this past season.
“And to the players that are coming back, get ready for the challenges of the future and let everybody know that we’re not finished yet,” Saban said, with the players joining him in emphasizing the “yet.”
