With Bryant Denny Stadium hosting A-Day last weekend and country music superstar Morgan Wallen this weekend, it got me thinking about the overlaps between Alabama athletics and the songs he will be playing under the lights Saturday night.
I’ve rounded up a few of Wallen’s top hits and how they compare to certain players, coaches and moments in the history of Crimson Tide athletics.
7 Summers
A classic song about young romance, “7 Summers,” has become one of Wallen’s most popular songs.
Much like the girl in the song, it makes me think about the players that “got away.”
Former Crimson Tide safety Caleb Downs quickly comes to mind.
Downs started his college football career at Alabama under former head coach Nick Saban where he was a superstar as a freshman. He finished 2023 with 107 tackles, which led the team, and two interceptions, second on the team.
After Saban retired, Downs decided to enter the transfer portal, where he ended up at Ohio State. Now he’s a projected first-round pick in this month’s NFL Draft.
“I’m very process-oriented,” Downs said. “I just want to put myself in position to win each week and prepare for every game the same way. I’m just looking to go out and compete at a high level and make plays.”
I can only imagine how head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first years might have looked if Downs had stayed at Alabama.
I Got Better
“I Got Better” is the second track on Wallen’s last playlist, “I’m The Problem.”
The song details how the main character went through a tough breakup, but in the end, he realized he was much better off without the girl than with her. The lyrics remind me a lot of Alabama’s breakup with former head men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson.
Johnson promised to usher in the glory age of Crimson Tide basketball. Many fans loved coach Johnson, but after a rough 2018 season where the team finished just 18-16, Alabama parted ways with its head basketball coach.
Then Alabama hired Buffalo’s Nate Oats.
Oats has led Alabama to five Sweet 16s in his first seven seasons, including the program’s first Final Four in 2024. A program that averaged just 18.8 wins per season in four years under Johnson has averaged 24.3 wins a year under Oats.
What seemed like the darkest period of Crimson Tide basketball in quite some time turned into the golden age promised by Johnson. It did get better for Alabama basketball.
‘98 Braves
A star-studded lineup of heavy hitters that couldn’t get it done in the postseason, the 1998 Atlanta Braves won a franchise record 106 games and featured team legends in third baseman Chipper Jones and pitcher Greg Maddux.
The same could be said about the 2018 Alabama football team.
The 2018 Crimson Tide started 14-0 thanks to the offensive firepower of Heisman runner-up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa; running backs Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson; and receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, future Heisman winner DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
Defensively, the team was stout too, headlined by future NFL stars safety Xavier McKinney, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Trevon Diggs.
Much like the ‘98 Braves, the ‘18 Crimson Tide fell short of their goal, losing in the National Championship to Clemson 44-16.
“I guess destiny ain’t always meant to be,” Wallen sings.
Silverado For Sale
“Silverado For Sale,” off of Wallen’s first hit album, Dangerous, is about a man putting his truck up for sale so he can buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend.
What sounds like a simple song adds so much meaning when the guy talks about his truck — not just as a vehicle, but as a memory. It’s where he met his future wife, played songs for them to dance to and set under the stars.
Selling a memory to create a better future is reminiscent of the current state of college athletics, where some schools are weighing out if keeping tradition is worth giving up money to build a roster with.
Take Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for example. Last fall, the University revealed a new partnership with Build Giants Alabama for an on-field sponsor. Some fans were outraged because it took away from the traditional look of the field, while others were happy because it provided another NIL source.
The same can be said about Wallen’s concert in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. It’s a lot of work and a lot of money for a major event like that, but the potential source of profit for not only the University and its athletic department, but the city itself thanks to the added tourism, is a potential huge win.
“For an act like [Wallen], you know it’s a slam dunk,” live entertainment consultant Scott Friedman said. “You know you’re going to sell enough tickets. It’s not like a wildcard act.”
Hence then, the article about these morgan wallen hits are reminiscent of alabama sports was published today ( ) and is available on The Crimson White ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( These Morgan Wallen hits are reminiscent of Alabama sports )
Also on site :
- 57-year-old woman killed in Lake Geneva boat accident on as busy boating season begins
- Istanbul Film Festival’s Meetings on the Bridge Co-Production Platform Wraps With Prizes for Standout Turkish Projects
- What You Can Expect to Pay to Get Into Fitness