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Alabama

OPINION: Why Alabama football needs a Ring of Honor and Heisman statues

AB1by: Andrew Bone08/20/25AndrewJBone
Derrick Thomas
Former Alabama All-American Derrick Thomas (Courtsey of UA athletics)

The last few months, we had a group project (via the Round Table) regarding Alabama’s Mount Rushmore, per position group—a difficult task for almost every area. It was more to pass the time before the start of the season, but I was also curious how fans/BOL subscribers, a Grand Canyon–sized age demographic, viewed the best players in the Crimson Tide’s storied history. There were a lot of different opinions.

There were spot-on takes, but I also can’t say any (outside of the subscribers trying to make light of it) were wrong. It’s just an opinion, and not voted into the official record book.

The University of Alabama has primarily focused on the team aspect of the football program. (Yes, we are fully aware of permanent team captains with their hands and footprints next to Denny Chimes and players honored inside facilities.)

There are not any retired jerseys (though I fully support No. 55, Derrick Thomas) or statues for former Heisman Trophy winners outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Many support the statue idea, but it is challenging for UA to retire a jersey number; there are too many.

For most college football programs, the casual fan can name the best four players (Mount Rushmore) in their school’s history with complete confidence, and the fanbase will agree.

Mount Rushmore is an engaging topic, whether related to football, comedy movies, your favorite music acts, or the best bars in T-Town. Everyone has their opinion, and if someone else has a different one, they are wrong, right? We have tried to make it not so serious, as it’s just a personal opinion, though some like to voice their disapproval.

From seeing all the various responses regarding the “just for fun” picks in the last few months; how much has changed at UA during the last few decades (especially with the influx of out-of-state enrollment). It’s evident more than ever, IMO, it’s time to start recognizing players who made a significant mark on the program’s history. It shouldn’t just start with the players who earned college football’s top individual hardware.

There are a lot of fans who have only lived through the Nick Saban era, many students who came from outside the state to Tuscaloosa because of the success of the football program (as mentioned above). They are fans for the rest of their lives as graduates, even ones who didn’t attend school at UA, who will pass it down to their kids and so on.

The best players to ever play for the Crimson Tide are the ones, in their opinions, they watched or knew about during their college years. They will remember the players and consider them the best to ever play for UA when comparing in future years. They are not wrong, if it’s their opinion, but the ones from the 60s–90s (and even earlier), or ones who played for Coach Saban, may one day not be remembered.

I grew up in a household (starting in 1985) where I received a doctorate in the history of Alabama football. That’s not the case for many. The lack of Heisman winners until 2009 had everyone thinking, “It’s more about the team/championships than the individual recognition.” That’s accurate, but also a small cope to mask the lack of Heismans. That has obviously changed.

At UA, there is the Bryant dynasty, the Saban dynasty, and everything else in between, along with future stars still to come. Each generation will have players they grew up watching, and young kids will have their heroes. But I think there has to be something more than just visiting Bryant Museum or looking up on AI who the best players in Alabama football history. Some of the best also don’t have their hands and footprints next to Denny Chimes, including the Tide’s first Heisman winner, along with players like Julio Jones and others, simply because they were not permanent team captains.

It’s time for Alabama to sincerely consider statues for Heisman Trophy winners outside the stadium, whether it’s the Walk of Champions or elsewhere. It’s significant enough to warrant the discussion. I’m sure it has been discussed with the ones who make those decisions. I think it needs pressing a little bit harder and come to fruition.

I had a conversation with Chris Samuels, former Alabama Outland Trophy winner, about six years ago. He was being inducted into the Washington Commanders (they were the Redskins at the time) Ring of Fame. It was one of the proudest moments for him and his family.

I don’t know how many 25-year-old Alabama fans know who Samuels was if you mentioned his name, especially if they didn’t become a fan until the Saban era. Houston Texans DB Kamari Lassiter (former UGA player) said last season he didn’t even know his head football coach, former SEC Defensive Player of the Year DeMeco Ryans, played at Alabama. Lassiter had lived in Tuscaloosa since the second grade.

Many would love to see Alabama take an aggressive approach in creating a lasting legacy for the former greats inside the stadium. “Let’s not copy others.” That narrative should not matter. I’d just rather see names like Cornelius Bennett, Dwight Stephenson, Antonio Langham, Lee Roy Jordan, along with many others, visible inside the stadium one day.

It’s not a name-drop of the top 20 from each area. The Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame make difficult decisions each year. It’s a very selective process, and feelings may get hurt. You want teams remembered, but you also want those Alabama legends known for generations to come. I’d advise a 20-year post-college wait period before induction. Do right off the field, and represent the program in a first-class way for years after they starred at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the future ones on Saban Field have another slice of motivation when they see those names etched in stone.

A lot of fans who will love seeing DeVonta Smith honored with his family in 15 years with the unveiling of his name inside the stadium, 10 minutes before kickoff against LSU—much like (Chris) Samuels celebrated that moment with his family. Yes, there are plenty of former stars who make the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, but the visitor in town for his first-ever game won’t know that (or care to look it up), but he just might if he sees that name inside the stadium.

“Victories,” “Wins,” “Legends,” etc.—a highlight reel on the screens certainly gets the crowd fired up before kickoff, but it’s time to start showcasing the names of those players who made those moments possible.

Many former players are fine with or without, and you hate to not include someone in the future. But also like to see many of the legends remembered for generations to come, and not just an honorary team captain for the day with a wave to the crowd (that’s still OK, too) with only half, in 20–30 years, knowing who CJ Mosley or Jonathan Allen is because it was before their time as a fan.

Thanks to our Mount Rushmore discussion and bringing more to light what needs to happen, it’s time to preserve the legendary players, not just the championship years and coaches who, rightfully so, are celebrated. One subscriber mentioned an “Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame.” It’s also a great idea, but it right next to the stadium, if not attached.

Do you agree/disagree? Share your opinion here

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