President Donald Trump made his way to the podium, turning behind him to a sea of Alabama players to whom he predicted would someday be “very rich.” While that might be true, the Crimson Tide's visit to the White House on Tuesday was about the prize it claimed in January when it beat Georgia for its 17th national championship in school history.
“Congratulations on your incredible victory, it was truly a win for the ages,” Trump said. “I don’t know if you know but I was there. I got to see it.
“Each of you is here for your grit, your drive, your dedication and your incredible teamwork. You all worked together, inspired each other, had each other’s backs and drove yourselves onward to one of the greatest victories ever.”
Trump went on to state that this year’s team, which finished 13-1, carried on the storied tradition of Alabama football excellence. Trump, who attended Alabama’s 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, displayed particularly high admiration for Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban for his continued success.
“Coach, you’ll have to explain that, you could sell your secret and make a lot of money,” Trump said with a grin.
Trump slightly stumbled over the compliment, forgetting whether Saban had won five or six national championships in his head coaching career. He was then informed that Saban had one five with Alabama and one during his time at LSU.
“So you have six altogether, huh. Wow,” Trump said, turning to Saban. “[LSU] shouldn’t have let you go, Coach. And they’re thinking about that, too.”
Saban and Trump met for the first time Tuesday as the president took the head coach into the Oval Office, a place he had yet to visit in his five previous visits to the White House. Despite his many trips to Washington D.C., Saban said the opportunity to be honored by the nation’s leader isn’t lost on him or his team.
“Not many people get invited to the White House. Not many people get invited to see the president and meet the president, so this is a special day for our team, a team that is being honored here for their achievements in terms of winning a college football national championship which makes me very proud.” Saban said. “This season was a little bit of a metaphor for life in terms of the togetherness, the hard work, the perseverance that these young men sort of put together to overcome a lot of adversity to create a legacy for a lifetime and a memory for a lifetime for them because of what they were able to accomplish together as a team.”
The president recalled watching the national championship at halftime when Georgia took a 13-0 lead into the break.
“I was watching. I said, ‘Coach, it’s not looking too good,” Trump said.
However, Trump commended Alabama for sticking to Saban’s philosophy dubbed “the process” in which the head coach stresses his players to execute each play one at a time regardless of the situation. Trump even used one of Saban’s sayings when talking about Alabama’s stifling defense.
“Rashaan Evans and Da’Ron Payne and the rest of the defense beat opposing offenses into submission,” Trump said. “I’ve watched a lot of those games. Sometimes as Coach Saban likes to say, ‘You flat out made them quit.’ They quit.
“We’re doing that to a lot of people, too.”
Trump made his way down Alabama’s roster, signaling out praise to each of the Crimson Tide’s playmakers. When he finally got to Tua Tagovailoa, who threw the game-winning 41-yard touchdown to receiver DeVonta Smith in overtime, he paused not risking mispronouncing the quarterback’s name.
“It’s OK,” Tagovailoa said from the crowd. “You don’t have to say my name.”
Trump went on to call the game-winning play an “unbelievable throw and a catch,” stating again that Alabama’s victory was an amazing win.
“Every moment of hard work and preparation for Alabama paid off,” Trump said. “We’re proud of you, proud of your teammates. Each member of this incredible football program, you can all be proud of yourselves. We’re proud of the way you play. We’re proud of the way you represent yourselves, your university and your state… We’re proud to once again call the University of Alabama our national champion. Thank you, and Roll Tide.”
