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For Landon Dickerson, Alabama’s No.1 52-24 victory over Ohio State’s No.3 for the CFP National Championship was about brotherhood.
The Alabama center, three weeks away from end-of-season knee surgery, just wanted to finish what he started.
If it hadn’t been for his perseverance and a late third run from Brian Robinson, he wouldn’t have been so lucky.
In an interview with ‘3 Man Front’ on WJOX in Birmingham, Dickerson said he ‘ran into medical staff, packed for the national title game before asking Nick Saban if he could and pleaded for enter the game before the last seconds. off the clock.
“It wasn’t about me,” he says. “It was about being with the team once again. I admit it was a little selfish on my end because I wanted to get dressed there, go through pre-game warm-ups, talk to my guys one last time. It was a special team. Just being able to be a part of it and being with these guys for this moment and this game – it’s almost like a Disney movie. It is one of those things that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Dickerson was taken off the field in the SEC Championship game on December 19. So many people on social media were surprised when he was on the pitch before the CFP title game started at full speed.
“The day after my ACL surgery, I returned my crutches,” he says. I had hit the head with the medical staff. “Dr. (Lyle) Cain and Jeff Allen, I said to them as I walked into the Rose Bowl, ‘You know I can play.’ And, of course, they never believed me.
In practices leading up to the victory over Notre Dame and the CFP title game with Ohio State, Dickerson went to practice. He worked on the quarterback trades and did some runs. “Obviously that scared them.”
Like his teammates, he packed his travel bag for Miami.
“The day before the game I went to see Coach Saban and asked him if I could dress for the game. I knew I already had my stuff there. He said he had no problem with me dressing.
“As soon as I got over that hurdle I thought since I got dressed I might as well go out and do pre-game warm-ups and play with the quarterfinals and run a bit and now see up. ‘where I can go until Dr. Cain blows his head in frustration.
During the match, Dickerson continued to probe Kane to find a way to get into the match.
“He told me if we get that many points – I think he said something unrealistic like four touchdowns – I’ll let you in. I think in his mind that will never happen.
With about four minutes to go in the game, Dickerson still did his thing as Alabama “was just running the ball. He didn’t go for that either, but eventually gave in to let him play if Tide got into the lineup for the win. Dickerson said Cain would ask Saban.
It hardly happened. The Tide faced a third and 9 at its 42 at 1:30 to go. Sure, the Tide should give off a kick, but Robinson took off on a 12-yard gain against the Ohio State 45. The Tide had another run of downs.
“B-Rob ran and, fuck, I got turned on and jumped the gun,” Dickerson said. I ran to the coach and didn’t even ask. I said, “Hey, coach, I’m going to take these final shots.” He said, ‘Okay, go ahead.’ “
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
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