When Najee Harris announced he was coming back for one more year with the Crimson Tide football team, the running back said it was about unfinished business. However, he didn’t know at the time exactly what that business would be.
Late last week, Harris announced a team-wide march from the Mal Moore complex to Foster Auditorium.
The players weren’t alone, joined by Coach Nick Saban, athletic director Greg Byrne, athletes from many other Crimson Tide teams and other university leaders. The symbolic march ended at the exact spot of the infamous “stand in the schoolhouse door,” and with heartfelt messages from the players, coaches, and local law enforcement leaders.
University of Alabama football team marches for social justice from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (UA Athletics)
Offensive lineman Evan Neal was among the University of Alabama football players leading a march for social justice. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (UA Athletics)
Linebacker Jarez Parks speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
University President Stuart Bell speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (UA Athletics)
Greg Byrne speaks with Chris Owens. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (UA Athletics)
Athletics Director Greg Byrne speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Linebacker Jarez Parks speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Dr. G. Christine Taylor, vice president and associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Alabama, speaks at a march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (UA Athletics)
Nick Saban speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Participants in the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team included, from left, receivers Xavier Williams, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
University Police Chief John Hooks speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Dr. G. Christine Taylor, vice president and associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Alabama, speaks at a march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Offensive lineman Chris Owens speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Marching for social justice are, from left, Thomas Fletcher, Paul Tyson (offset in background), Ty Perine, Shane Lee, Jaylen Moody and Christian Harris (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Crimson Tide running back Najee Harrisspeaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Athletics Director Greg Byrne speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
University President Stuart Bell speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Nick Saban speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
Linebacker Jarez Parks speaks at the University of Alabama march for social justice led by the Crimson Tide football team. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
The Crimson Tide football team led a march of social injustice at the University of Alabama. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)
