For Landon Dickerson, the victory of no. 1 Alabama 52-24 over Ohio State no. 3 for the CFP national championship all about brotherhood.
The Alabama center, who was three weeks removed from the knee surgery that ended the season, simply wanted to finish what he started.
Had it not been for his stubbornness and a late Brian Robinson third run, he would not have had that chance.
In an interview with ‘3 Man Front’ at WJOX in Birmingham, Dickerson said he ‘bumped heads with the medical staff, before asking Nick Saban if he could, and pleading to enter the match before the last seconds would type. outside the clock.
“It was not about me,” he said. “It was to be out with the team one more time. I will admit that it was a bit selfish on my part because I wanted to be dressed out there, go through the game through warm-ups and talk to my guys one last time. It was a special team. Just being able to be a part of those guys and be with those guys for that moment and that game – it’s almost like a Disney movie. This is one of the things I will remember for the rest of my life. ”
Dickerson was chased off the field during the December 19 SEC Championship game. So it surprised many on social media when he was on the field before the start of the CFP title race in full gear.
“The day after I had ACL surgery, I returned my crutches,” he said. I had heads with the medical staff. “Dr. (Lyle) Cain and Jeff Allen, I told them to go to the Rose Bowl, ‘You know I can play.’ And of course, they never believed me.
During practices that led to the victory over Notre Dame and the CFP title game with Ohio State, Dickerson went to practice. He worked on the quarterback exchange and ran. “It drove them out, of course.”
Like his teammates, he packed his suitcases for Miami.
” The day before the game, I went to Saban’s coach and asked him if I could dress for the game. I knew I had all my stuff down there. He said he had no problems dressing me.
‘Once I got through the hurdle, I was like I was dressed, I might as well go do warm-ups and cut with quarterbacks and run around a bit and now see how far I can go until dr. Cain blows his head off in frustration. ”
During the game, Dickerson continued to investigate Kane for a way into the game.
“He told me if we get so many scores – I think he said something unrealistic like four touchdowns – I will enter you. I think in his mind it will never happen.”
With about four minutes of play left, Dickerson’s still made his case as Alabama ‘just ran the ball. He also failed to do so, but eventually conceded to let him play if the tide would land in a victory formation. Dickerson said Cain would ask Saban.
It almost did not happen. The Tide came up with a 1:30 over a third and 9 on his 42. The Tide will surely have to score, but Robinson rose with a win of 12 yards to Ohio State 45. The Tide had a new collection.
“B-Rob ran, and damn it, I got excited and I jumped the gun,” Dickerson said. I ran to coach and did not even ask. I said, ‘Hey, coach, I’m going to take these last snaps. He said, “Oh, go on.” ‘
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.