Alabama Sports Discussion: Why a Healthy Team Matters

As fans of Alabama sports teams, we have been fortunate that many of our favorite teams were at full strength when competing against our bitter rivals. However, we’ve also seen some of our best athletes fall to the injury bug. While a lot of casual sports fans may experience heartbreak when a star player gets sidelined due to injury, any injury to any player on an active roster is just as bad.

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This is why most of our teams have a huge amount of players on their rosters. Training can get rough, and sometimes, when the tough get going, they get injured by pushing themselves too hard and too far.

Without a full roster, in-game substitutions would be a pain. A healthy roster eliminates this problem. It’s not uncommon for players on the starting line-up to have a bad game, and they need healthy players to sub in for them.

Healthy substitutes also make sure that the best players on the team stay fresh for crucial moments in the game. Imagine if your star football or basketball player has played the entire game and gases out towards the end. Tired players lose focus and make more mistakes in the game. However, when they get a breather, they regain their senses. This is another important reason full rosters matter.

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Hi, the name’s Kevin Rolle, amateur sports blogger from Alabama. Though I mostly write about Alabama college sports, I also write about professional sports like the NBA and NFL. For more sports articles, visit this page.

Hank Aaron, The Hammer For Alabama

Very few names in American baseball lore stand as tall and as proud as that of Hank Aaron. A legend in his own right, Hank was more than just a baseball star; he was an icon that African-American athletes all over the country looked up to.

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Nicknamed “the Hammer,” Hank was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Herbert and Estella Aaron. His brother Tommie also played in the Majors in their later years, and the Aaron brothers held the league record for most homers by siblings. 

When he was younger, Hank spent a lot of time in Toulminville. As families in the region were in those days, the Aarons were poor, so poor, in fact, that they couldn’t afford to pay for normal baseball equipment. Hank would look for sticks and stones and bottle caps on the streets to use and bats and balls, and practiced day in and day out to hone his baseball skills. 

Hank’s favorite player was the trailblazing Jackie Robinson, the pioneering African-American athlete. In high school, he played outfield and third base for the Mobile Black Bears, which was a semipro baseball team. Being a baseball player and a Boy Scout was what Hank poured his heart and soul into. 

Hank was a cross-handed power hitter. At the age of 15, he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers but failed to make the team. He went on to the Josephine Allen Institute and joined the Pritchett Athletics, then back to the Mobile Black Bears. 

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The name’s Kevin Rolle, born and raised in Alabama. I’ve been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. Since I’m a fan of the Alabama University and the Alabama A&M University football teams, I mostly write articles about them. I hope to be a professional sports writer someday. To read more about sports, visit this blog.

Highest Paid Nba Players Per Season Of All Time

The NBA is known for being a league where hard work and talent are paid handsomely. Managers offer players millions of dollars each year to keep playing for their team and to improve on their game. Over the years, we’ve seen players cash in huge checks from their teams. Here are some of the highest paid NBA superstars of all time. 

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During the height of his 21-year career, Kevin Garnett had the highest single-season salary in NBA history raking in at $28 million. His salary is also one of the reasons why there is now a salary cap in the NBA. Throughout his career, Garnett earned a total of $334.3 million. A big chunk of this came from his six-year contract in 1996 worth $126 million. 

Another retired veteran who made serious money was 18-time All-Star Kobe Bryant. Despite a season-ending knee injury in 2013, he has amassed $323,300,000 in the span of 20 seasons. His highest-single season salary was $30.5 million. 

The next name on this list is unlikely to reach the 300 million mark is still actively playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki is one of only seven players who has reached over 30,000 points in their career. His highest single-season salary was $25 million, and his total earnings in the league now at $246.6 million. 

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Hi there, my name’s Kevin Rolle, trying my hand in sports writing. I ’m a big fan of the Alabama University’s Crimson Tide and the Alabama A&M University’s Bulldogs football teams, so I mostly write about articles about these two universities. For more sports updates, visit this website.

The enduring legacy of Paul 'Bear' Bryant

“His nickname was ‘Bear.’ Now, imagine a guy that can carry the nickname, 'Bear.'” This was how football great Joe Namath described his coach in the University of Alabama, Paul Bryant. Considering the magnitude of Bryant’s contribution to the history of the school’s football program, there is probably no better-suited nickname for him. 

Image source: al.com

Before Bryant was signed to be the Crimson Tide’s coach in 1958, the university had found intermittent success. It had already won five national titles by then, but in-between those championships were seasons of disappointment and futility. Prior to his hiring, Alabama had endured four straight losing seasons. 

Even though Bryant’s first season with the team resulted in mild success, a foundation had been set and turning the tide had become an attainable ambition. His focus on instilling the basics in his players helped build skills and characters. He once said, “I don’t want ordinary people. I want people who are willing to sacrifice and do without a lot of those things ordinary students get to do. That’s what it takes to win.” 

And win they did. 

In the Bryant era, which reigned for 25 years, the Crimson Tide won six national titles, 13 conference championships, 24 bowl appearances, and amassed more wins than any other team during that duration. 

His legend has helped inspire a new crop of football coaches after his retirement, particularly current Alabama coach Nick Saban, who several pundits also consider one of the best football coaches of all time. 

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Hi there! I’m Kevin Rolle, an amateur sportswriter from Alabama. Let’s talk about Alabama’s sports teams by following me on Twitter.

Three amazing places to visit for exhilarating pro football

No other sport in America is as watched as football. While we are all A&M Bulldog fans, we do appreciate what the NFL has done for the athletes who have worn Bulldog colors. As such, let’s take a quick break from Bulldog football and check out the best places to visit for the most breathtaking pro football games. 

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Michigan Stadium 

Michigan Stadium is fondly called the Big House. Since its construction in 1927, the Big House has been a place of epic battles and historical football matches. It holds the record for being the largest outdoor sporting venue in the Western Hemisphere, accommodating over 100,000 fans. It is both an architectural and technological (Duraspine turf, anyone?) wonder. 

The Rose Bowl

It doesn’t get any more classic than the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. An aerial and wide view of the Rose Bowl sets it up in the middle of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has hosted five Super Bowl games and has the distinction of being host to the first postseason college football game at the start of every year. And yes, it is also a National Historic Landmark. 

Ohio Stadium 

This mammoth structure can seat almost 105,000 screaming fans. Shaped like a horseshoe, it is one of the loudest places in the country. It is said that the energy level during games in Ohio Stadium can get so high that it can disorient fans. 

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Hello, there. The name’s Kevin Rolle, and I’m born and raised in Alabama. I’m a huge fan of Alabama sports. I hope to be a professional sportswriter someday. For related reads, visit this blog.

College Vs. Pro Football: Which Is More Exciting?

Given the overwhelming numbers, no other spectator sport comes close to the viewership of American pro football. More people watch the NFL than any other sport in the U.S. However, does this mean it’s the most exciting sport? I beg to differ. And I’m making a case for college football.

Here are some reasons why college football is more exciting to watch.

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The rivalries

Sure, there are rivalries in pro football, but none of them comes close to the rivalries in college football. There are bowls for these games and viewership for the spikes. Rivalry games in college football are remembered far longer than rivalry games in the NFL. College football rivalries also have the tendency to churn out legends for the ages.

Limited games

The number of games in college football is limited making each game as important as the last. Every game in college football is significant. The coaching staff knows it. The players know it. The fans know it. This is why they take every second of every game to heart. Every triumph is sweeter. Every defeat is more heartbreaking.

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Pricing

Ticket prices for NFL games are ridiculous. It’s a business, and they milk everyone for it. College football ticket prices are more affordable. And the atmosphere during home games is just fantastic. It feels like you’re there with a family of over 50,000 people.

Hi, the name’s Kevin Rolle, amateur sports blogger from Alabama. Though I mostly write about Alabama college sports, I also write about professional sports like the NBA and NFL. For more sports articles, visit this page.

Is Alabama’s Collin Sexton Living Up To The Hype?

Alabama guard Collin Sexton is among the brightest and most promising figures in the upcoming NBA draft, with many league insiders placing him within the top 10. Let’s look at the pros and cons of Sexton’s play. 

The six-foot-three guard has gotten a lot of attention in the Tide’s campaign in the NCAA March Madness tournament, hitting clutch shots after clutch shots and making great defensive plays. Just recently, the freshman brought his team victory with a buzzer-beating lay-up to beat Texas A&M and tallying a total of 27 points.

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And he wasn’t done: the next day he came up with a 31-point, seven-rebound performance in a thorough shackling of in-state rival Auburn. This was no surprise for many in the loop, as Sexton was a top-10 national recruit coming into Alabama. He led the USA U17 basketball team in winning the trophy of the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship, taking tournament MVP honors despite coming off the bench. By the end of that stint, he set the Nike EYBL single-season scoring record, averaging 31.7 points per game. 

The caveat with Sexton’s game is that he likes to do everything, his game dominated by many one-on-one plays bordering on hero basketball. Many believe that Alabama will be easily beatable without Sexton. 

Nonetheless, he is a very efficient scorer and might probably be the best guard in the country, over other hyped players like Trae Young. He has a high user rate, is a reliable free-throw shooter, and, most importantly, shines on the defensive end with his 6-foot-7 wingspan. 

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Hi there. I’m Kevin Rolle and I’ve been into sports for as long as I can remember. Since I’m a fan of the Alabama University and the Alabama A&M University football teams, I mostly write about them. More musings on the Crimson Tide here.

A closer look at the Alabama-Georgia college football rivalry

This past college football season ended on a sweet note for fans of the Alabama University Crimson Tide, which beat bitter rival Georgia by three points, 26-23, in OT to win the College Football Playoff national championships. It was an exhilarating victory that saw the fourth-seeded team turn the tide (pun intended) and upend the third-ranked. 

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Tua Tagovailoa’s stunning 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith gave the Crimson Tide its fifth national championship since 2009 under coach Nick Saban. It proved to be the end to Georgia’s charmed run, which included a crazy win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. 

For sure, the rivalry between these two teams is fueled by the fact that they don’t meet as often as they deserve due to the SEC’s 6-1-1 scheduling. This scheduling is largely the result of SEC’s insistence in maintaining permanent cross-divisional rivals to preserve the history between Georgia-Auburn and Alabama-Tennessee. 

Nonetheless, all the three scheduled games and the conference title match in the Nick Saban era were regarded by fans with much passion and mammoth support. This is especially made more enticing because the Bulldogs haven’t defeated the Crimson Tide in over 1o years; the last time the Bulldogs got the W was in an auspiciously similar 26-23 overtime win in 2007. 

What really drives the existing rabid competition between these two teams was their 2012 meeting, in which the Bulldogs’ final drive fell short as time expired (to much dismay of Georgia fans) and with Alabama going on to defeat Notre Dame in the championship. 

Finally, we should note that Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart is a disciple of Saban, and he would do anything to beat his mentor. Sadly for Georgia, that would have to wait for another season. 

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Hello, the name’s Kevin Rolle. I went to school at the University of Alabama so I’m a big fan of our Crimson Tide football team. For more musings on Alabama college football, visit this blog.

Alabama football legends: Who was Wallace Wade?

Wallace Wade was some sort of legend in college sports. While he was a football player at his physical prime, he went on to coach high-caliber teams in football, basketball, and baseball. He was one of the first coaches of the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team from 1923 to 1930. After which, he moved to Duke University on and off from 1931 to 1950. His career college football record is 171-49-10, and was only hampered because he fought in World War II.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Wade achieved much success in his tenure as Crimson Tide coach. His teams in 1925, 1926, and 1930 were named national champions. This was an impressive feat by any standards. Wade’s most popular achievement with Duke came in 1938 when no team could score a single point against them during the regular season. The only points they allowed were during the last minute of the Rose Bowl.

In his storied career, Wallace Wade won a staggering amount of titles – 10 Southern Conference football titles (4 with Alabama and 6 with Duke). He coached in an amazing five Rose Bowls, the most memorable one being the 1942 contest, which was moved from California to North Carolina because the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Hi there, I’m Kevin Rolle, hoping to break into the sportswriting scene in Alabama. I write about college sports, especially about the University of Alabama and the Alabama A&M University. To learn more about Alabama sports, follow me on Twitter.

Acquiring Eric Bledsoe is a solid move by the playoff-hopeful Bucks

Early November proved to be an auspicious time for then Phoenix Suns star Eric Bledsoe. It had began with a tweet that had said “I don’t wanna be here,” implying to Suns management that Bledsoe had been keen on getting traded. This had been in the wake of a not-so-exciting Phoenix 0-3 season start. 

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The Alabama native has since gotten what he wished, starting for the Milwaukee Bucks alongside the Greek behemoth Giannis Antetokounmpo just a week after, finishing with 13 points and helping the team get a huge statement win over the Spurs. 

Getting Bledsoe is a sound decision for the Bucks, which had to give up Greg Monroe and protected future first- and second-round picks. This is mainly because Milwaukee needs a good ball handler to pace the team and add order in the Bucks’ non-fastbreak-oriented plays. He makes it easier for Antetokounmpo and shooter Khris Middleton to do their thing. His presence also relieves the pressure on last year’s top rookie Malcolm Brogdon and Aussie star Matthew Dellavedova for facilitating the offense. 

As of this writing, and with Bledsoe inserted in the Bucks lineup, Milwaukee is ranked 7th in the Eastern Conference with an over .500 record of 12-10. And in a breakout year for Antetokounmpo, who is a leading early candidate for this season’s MVP award, Bledsoe might just be the missing piece of the puzzle to, at the very least, take the team to the playoffs. 

Image source: sportingnews.com

Hello, my name’s Kevin Rolle. I went to school in the University of Alabama so I’m a big fan of the Crimson Tide football team. Though I mostly write about Alabama college sports, I also write about professional sports like the NBA and NFL. More sports news and updates here.

Greatest moments in Alabama Crimson Tide football history

UA’s college football history is impressive and formidable. With 14 National Championships and a total of 22 for SEC, Alabama Crimson Tide football is sustained by the indomitable spirit of its players year in and year out and of course, a recognizable brand of state pride that truly screams Alabama. It might be difficult for any hardcore fan to pick the best moments in Crimson Tide football history, especially for those who are familiar with every single bowl they’ve played and consequently won, but some statistics and game details or highlights clearly reflect beyond doubt that UA has one of the best college athletic teams anywhere and across sport categories. 

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Here are some of the most memorable ones: 

2010 BCS National Championships 

This exciting 37-21 win over the Longhorns is surely one for the books. The 14-0 SEC record before BCS was already something to be proud of on its own. The Tide’s 13th championship was won by a team of future NFL drafts like Ingram, Richardson, Dareus, and others. From Ingram’s two-yard run for the initial lead to the eventual two 4th-quarter touchdowns that locked in the win. 

1993 Sugar Bowl 

After the Hurricanes said something about the inferiority of SEC before the game, the Tide’s 34-13 win felt even sweeter a victory than ever. The formidable Hurricane record of zero defeats since 1990 was dramatically ended by Alabama in this unforgettable game. 

1926 Rose Bowl 

The first time is almost always the one that leaves the most notable mark. This first national championship title for the Tide against the Huskies was earned from a really tight game. The 20-19 win over Washington only started building in the 3rd quarter. 

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The name’s Kevin Rolle. Born and raised in Alabama. I’ve been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. Since I’m a fan of the Alabama University and the Alabama A&M University football teams, I mostly write articles about them. I hope to be a professional sportswriter someday. To read more about sports, visit this blog.

Why Alabama loves sports

Alabama might as well be a sports lover’s paradise, from the nation’s most cheered college football teams to exhilarating NASCAR races. Here are some reasons why the state lives and celebrates sports like no other, according to AL.com. 

Image source: SportsThenAndNow.com   

It’s not just football The love for sports goes beyond football and penetrates gymnastics, softball, golf, and diving. “Perennial powers” like North Alabama, UAH, and Samford, too, make sports an everyday force in local communities. 

Love from fans The thrill goes beyond the state’s teams – all fans are at fever pitch, supporting and defending their teams to the fullest. It’s noteworthy that fans even name their child after their team, such as a Phenix City man being a father to Crimson Tide and Alleigh Bama and offering support to an Andalusia family naming their child Krimson Tyde. 

Alabama racetrack rocks There’s the classic atmosphere of a NASCAR race, but one may pair it up with the modern excitement of Indy and motorcycle racing at Barber Motorsports Park. There’s a surprise here and there, such as a Mardi Gras theme at the track. 

The country’s best minor league ballpark How about watching minor league baseball at Birmingham’s Regions Field and enjoying the game and scenic views of the downtown skyline? Both play and scenery make Alabama a sports lover’s heaven. 

National greats To say many Alabamians have made their mark in the sporting world is a bit of an understatement. Hank Aaron, Charles Barkley, Bobby Allison, Joe Louis, Vonetta Flowers, Bo Jackson, and Jesse Owens – the list goes on. 

It’s a way of life Others states may be content with wearing sweatshirts and jeans to sporting events, but in Alabama fans are clad in houndstooth dress for the Iron Bowl or a nice hat at the golf course. Kids are also started young, cheering teams on with youthful enthusiasm. At the end of the day, sports is a common ground, and people young or old, male or female just love it with a raging passion. 

Image source: CBSSports.com 

Born and raised in Alabama, Kevin Rolleis an amateur sportswriter who writes mostly about Alabama University and Alabama A&M University. Learn more on this page.

5 Things The State Of Alabama Is The Best At

We, Alabamans don’t call our state “sweet home” for nothing. Sure, we’re not always perfect but in many areas, we’re the best. Here are 5 things the state of Alabama is known for being the best.

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1. College football

No one can argue this. We have 15 championships, 17 if you include two for Auburn University – with a four-peat from 2009-2012..

2. Southern literature

We could just say, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and call it a day. But Alabama’s literacy landscape is so much richer: “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions” and Peejoe Bullis "Crazy in Alabama," to name a few.

3. Building rocket engines

We’ve been building them the longest. We are NASA’s acknowledged propulsion experts. The men sent to the moon were carried by engines designed and tested in Huntsville.

4. Barbeque

We have award-winning restaurants, world-famous recipes, and local competitions and festivals. But the most important is, no matter which is your favorite, everything tastes good.

Image source:telegraph.co.uk

5. Training astronauts

With Alabama’s great space heritage, it’s only obvious we know how to train astronauts. Six astronauts and six past directors of Kennedy Space Center have graduated from Auburn University, two from Troy University and another astronaut from the University of Alabama.

Hi there, Kevin Rolle here. I’m a sportswriter and a student from the Alabama University. If you want more updates about college sports, visit this link.