Bama Football, SEC
11 January 2010

You made me watch defense. Three years ago I started hearing that a true freshman was going to start at middle linebacker and call the plays. I thought to myself, “This kid may be special”. I was at your first game. It was also Nick Saban’s first game at Alabama. I remember it more as your first game. I looked at my buddy P and said, “Just watch #25. He is good and is always near the ball.” Up until that point I always watched the defense as a whole. I never watched a single player. You made watching one player okay to do (mainly because you were almost always in on the tackle). We left at halftime because Western Carolina was getting blown out, but looking back I wish I would have stayed and watched more.
In between then and now you have been a staple on this team. Yes, there were moments that you made me nervous. I even questioned you a time or two. Actually, just two. (What were you thinking with the personal foul against VT…and why were you ever on a motorcycle?)
Thank you for being the true team player. With all the great players on this championship team, you are my favorite. Go make it happen in the NFL. Hopefully, you can somehow end up on the Falcons, but I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a Chiefs jersey.