In 2018, two rising stars of Alabama football โ Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts โ had the rare honor of meeting one of the gameโs all-time greats: Bart Starr, the legendary Crimson Tide alum and NFL icon.
For Tagovailoa and Hurts, both quarterbacks making national headlines at the time, the meeting was more than just ceremonial. It was a symbolic passing of the torch โ from a man who defined greatness in his era to two young men carving out their own legacies.
โIt was humbling,โ Tua said at the time. โTo be face-to-face with someone who helped shape the game โ and this program โ was unforgettable.โ
๐ Bart Starr: The Original Crimson Tide Commander
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Starr played quarterback, safety, and punter for Alabama during his sophomore season โ a true triple-threat athlete. His college career was cut short by an offseason back injury that limited his final two years in Tuscaloosa. Still, his brief but electric time at Alabama laid the foundation for one of the most decorated pro careers in football history.
After college, Starr was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, where he would:
- Win five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls (I & II)
- Be named Super Bowl MVP in both games
- Capture NFL MVP honors in 1966
- Earn induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977
๐ Bridging Generations
When Starr met Tua and Jalen, it was a moment rich with symbolism โ three eras of Alabama quarterbacks together in one room. Starr, the original champion; Jalen, the steady leader; and Tua, the gunslinger who would soon throw the game-winning pass in the 2018 National Championship.
โThey reminded me of what it means to be a Crimson Tide quarterback โ grace, humility, and strength,โ Starr reportedly told a family friend after the meeting.
๐ธ A Moment That Lives On
The photo of Starr with Tagovailoa and Hurts became iconic in Alabama circles โ not just for the legacy it represented, but for the respect between generations of champions. It also underscored Alabamaโs long tradition of excellence at the quarterback position, from Starr to Namath to Stabler to Hurts and Tua.
๐ฌ Final Word
In the ever-changing world of college football, moments like this remind us that while players may come and go, the Crimson Tide legacy endures. And sometimes, history finds a way to connect the past, present, and future โ one handshake at a time.
