Blake Sims is the BamaCentral Crimson Tide Pro Athlete of the Week

As one of professional football's most traveled players, Blake Sims has debuted in another league: the Indoor Football League, the pigskin's pseudo self, as a member of the Spokane Shock.

And the former Crimson Tide quarterback didn't disappoint.

You've probably heard, though, and that's why he's our pro athlete of the week: because it's tough to root against the clichéd comeback story, the favorite Bama signal caller for a fair share.

I know, I know … 'it's just indoor football.'

Well, yes, but no, not just.

Imagine being suited for multiple positions, pro and college—backup or not—then pinballing from organization-to-organization and league-to-league all to rinse, repeat.

It's the life of most athletes past the college ranks, the ones who don't quite 'stick.' But that doesn't mean they don't hold a stake in the sports memory of fans, like Sims does for those in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere.

His lone year as an Alabama starter in 2014 was record-breaking, literally, and cemented his place at the Capstone. Seven years later, a few debuts later, and Crimson Tide fans have perspective.

That's why Sims accounting for four touchdowns in his debut start was priceless, as they say, and why seeing the reaction of Alabama fans was its equal. Good for him, and good on them.

Soliloquy over.

😍 https://t.co/8CAHOD0fKc
— Kwisatz Herberach (@JGFiegel) July 11, 2021

Honorable mention:

Former Alabama pitcher Jake Walters of the Miami Marlins organization was promoted to its Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and pitched five scoreless innings in his debut.

Jake Walters was on fire today in his Triple-A debut

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

📸 Tim Davis/tdphotography pic.twitter.com/XdEdfJ3Ylu
— Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) July 11, 2021

Previous winners in 2021:

Dec. 29 - Jan. 5 Derrick Henry

Jan. 6 - 12 Daron Payne

Jan. 13 - 19 Levi Wallace

Jan. 20 - 26 Collin Sexton

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2. JaMychal Green

Feb. 3 - 9 Collin Sexton

Feb. 9 - 16 Kira Lewis Jr.

Feb. 17 - 23 Levi Randolph

Feb. 24 - March 2 Collin Sexton

March 3 - 9 Collin Sexton

March 10 - 16 Justin Thomas

March 17 - 23 Collin Sexton

March 24 - 30 JaMychal Green

March 31 - April 6 Collin Sexton

April 7 - April 13 Collin Sexton

April 14 - April 20 Levi Randolph

April 21 - April 27 Collin Sexton

April 28 - May 4 Davis Riley

May 5 - May 11 Collin Sexton

May 12 - May 18 Dicky Pride

May 19 - May 25 Spencer Turnbull

May 26 - June 1 Alexa Guarachi

June 2 - June 8 Kenzie Wright

June 9 - June 15 Eryk Anders

June 16 - June 22 Daniel Haugh

June 23 - June 29 Daniel Haugh

June 30 - July 6 Emma Talley