Alabama football players seemed unfazed by the presence of former President Donald Trump during their 41-34 upset victory over Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night. Trump, who is currently a Republican presidential nominee, attended the game as a special guest and witnessed Alabama’s early dominance before leaving at halftime. At that point, the Crimson Tide had established a commanding 30-7 lead over the Bulldogs.
Interestingly, after Trump’s departure, Georgia staged a comeback, scoring 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. This raised the question of whether Trump’s presence had brought good luck to Alabama in the first half. However, fans who remember his last visit to Tuscaloosa in 2019 might disagree, as Alabama suffered its only loss that season to LSU, which went on to win the national championship.
For the Crimson Tide players, Trump’s attendance didn’t appear to be a distraction or a source of pressure. Tight end CJ Dippre downplayed the significance of the event, saying, “I don’t get into politics. I don’t vote. I don’t get into it just because I don’t think I’m old enough to need to get into it right now. But I thought it was awesome to have that kind of icon at the game.” His comments reflected a sense of neutrality, viewing Trump’s presence as an interesting but non-influential factor.
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell shared a similar sentiment, noting that the team was accustomed to external hype and national attention. “We didn’t really care about any external factors,” Campbell remarked. “We had ‘College GameDay’ come. I think the game was on ABC, a bunch of things that came to the game, and we didn’t let that get to our head.” For the players, Trump’s presence was just one more element in an already high-profile game.
The Alabama squad remained focused, refusing to attribute their success to anything other than their own performance and determination. Campbell highlighted the team’s mentality, saying, “We just had poise and kept fighting.” This mindset was evident in Alabama’s ability to hold off Georgia’s late surge and secure a dramatic victory, marked by a 75-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Williams that electrified the stadium.
Despite the significance of the game and the high-profile guest, head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team kept their composure, emphasizing preparation and resilience rather than external factors. The players’ ability to stay grounded and focus on their execution was a testament to the program’s strength under DeBoer’s leadership. Their calm response suggests that such appearances, even by a former president, are becoming less of a distraction for a team that is no stranger to the spotlight.
Overall, while Trump’s appearance at the Alabama-Georgia game garnered significant media attention, the Crimson Tide players made it clear that their victory was about football, not politics. Their reaction reflected a sense of professionalism and focus, making the win over Georgia one to be remembered for the team’s performance rather than the presence of any political figure.
