Crimson Tide Roll Call: Dec. 14, 2019

Today is … National Wreaths Across America Day, an initiative to cover all veterans’ grave markers with a Christmas wreath. Additionally, Alabama became the 22nd state on this date in 1819.
Today’s Crimson Tide schedule
Men’s basketball: Alabama at Penn State, 1 p.m. CT, Big Ten Network, Live Video, Live Audio, Live Stats
Crimson Tide results
No games scheduled
BamaCentral Daily Video
Did you notice?
• John Hannah and Dwight Stephenson were chosen for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
"Literally at the point of attack on every play."
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2019
Bill Belichick dissects @Patriots legend John Hannah's highlights. #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/ZBCenvV9hD
Dwight Stephenson is one of the four centers selected to the #NFL100 All-Time Team!
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2019
🐬 1985 Walter Payton Man of the Year
🐬 4x First-Team All-Pro
🐬 5x Pro Bowler
🐬 NFL 1980s All-Decade Team pic.twitter.com/WvJQyXlpCB
• The CFP playoff coaches were asked during a press conference at the Home Depot Award Show on Thursday if it was a little weird for them not to see Nick Saban there. "Don't fret for Coach Saban," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "He's the best to ever do it. Unbelievable program. Had a couple tough games this year. But he'll be back. It is a little odd not to see him, that's for sure. But I don't think he'll be gone very long." Added Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley: "Same. They pack us in this little glass room for about 30 minutes before. To walk in there this year without him there is kind of strange. Like Coach Swinney said, he's one of the greats to ever do it and I'm sure he'll be back."
• Advisor Shank:
Got official word today that I got the job I’ve been waiting so long for. I’m officially an Academic Advisor for The University of South Alabama. 2020 it’s up there! I took my L’s on the chin. Now #ItsMySZN !! Thank you God🙏🏾 #JagNation 🔵🔴
— Alphonse Taylor (@SHANKK50) December 14, 2019
• The Shrine Bowl announced that Matt Womack will play in this year's game which will be played Jan. 18 (2 p.m. CT, NFL Network):
Can I get a Rollllll Tideeee⁉️
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) December 13, 2019
Welcome Matt Womack (@MattWomack2015) from @AlabamaFTBL to the 95th East- West Shrine Bowl! #ShrineBowl | #BamaFactor pic.twitter.com/gkev2yXgDP
• Justin Thomas finally took a loss during the Presidents Cup in Australia. Teaming with Rickie Fowler they notched a 3 & 2 victory in the morning as Thomas improved to 3-0 on the tournament, 10-2-1 for Team USA on the last three U.S. Ryder/Presidents Cup teams. However, with the US threatening to sweep the afternoon session they couldn't hold massive five-hole lead with eight to play. Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer won the final three holes to split the match and the International Team maintained a 10-8 lead heading to singles play Sunday.
Build the entire plane out of Justin Thomas. pic.twitter.com/jzogSoaTS7
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) December 14, 2019
• Not Crimson Tide specific, but ...
What a honor it was to meet the #Pope @Pontifex today. He’s truly a remarkable man that represents True Love, Happiness and World Peace for all human race. pic.twitter.com/mkGSn1k2mn
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) December 13, 2019
• They're back at it (first bowl practice will be Monday):
On this date in Crimson Tide history:
December 14, 1956: Tony Nathan was born in Birmingham, Ala.
No. 43: @MiamiDolphins RB Tony Nathan with a hook and lateral play (Jan. 2, 1982) #NFL100
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2019
📺: NFL 100 Greatest Plays on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/Fffbb9UsTv
December 14, 1963: In the latest regular season game ever played by the Crimson Tide, Alabama used a 100-yard kickoff return by Gary Martin, a 1-yard run by Benny Nelson and a 36-yard field goal by Tim Davis to withstand a fourth-quarter rally by Miami en route to a 17-12 victory. Playing without the suspended quarterback Joe Namath, Alabama scored all 17 of its points in the first half before the Hurricane's George Mira, who was 24 of 48 for 301 yards, rallied Miami in the second half. – Bryant Museum.
Crimson Tide quote of the day:
• "Regardless of who was coaching them, they still would have been a great team. I said early in the season that they were the nicest, even sissiest, bunch I ever had. I think they read it, because later on they got unfriendly." – Paul W. “Bear” Bryant on his first national championship team in 1961.
We’ll leave you with this …
That’s Love. ❤️🤞🏾 https://t.co/Z4t6nsuOP7
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) December 13, 2019

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, which first published as BamaCentral in 2018, and is also the publisher of the Boston College, Missouri and Vanderbilt sites . He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004 and is the author of 27 books including “100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die” and “Nick Saban vs. College Football.” He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.
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