Picture this. Your team is in the National Championship. You have been struggling throughout the first half. Your team enters the locker room at halftime down 13-0, and the coach makes a bold move that could either go down as the best decision in college football history, or it could completely backfire on him and dig your team an even deeper hole.
The backup goes in. He shines. He gets the game into overtime. On the first play of overtime for your team, the backup takes a major sack that backs your team up to near midfield. The next play, however, is one that will forever go down in history books. He steps back and delivers the ball right to the receiver as he crosses the goal line. Your team wins 26-23, and has won the National Championship.
This was exactly the situation Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts found himself in. With his team down 13-0 at halftime to Georgia in last season's National Championship, Coach Saban benched Jalen in favor of true freshman sensation Tua Tagovailoa, who came in and put on a show.
Many people would have probably pouted the second half, especially if they were the star player who helped lead the team there. However, Jalen was the first to run up and congratulate Tua each time the team scored.
Fast forward to this season. When Bama took the field against Louisville, it was Tua that got the start. Jalen could have pouted and quit. He could've taken advantage of the new redshirt rule and not lose a season of eligibility.
He didn't. He patiently waited for his time to shine. He was the first to congratulate Tua each time the team scored. He built Tua up and encouraged him. Most importantly, he was a team player.
He got his time to shine on December 1. I the same stadium, and against the same team, Jalen Hurts came off the bench after Tua suffered a high ankle sprain and led Bama to a 35-28 win and the SEC Championship. He ran for a touchdown. He won over the entire nation. He was so impressive, it seemed to have even pulled on the heartstrings of Coach Saban, who choked up during the post game when asked about Jalen.
Jalen Hurts is the gold standard of a true teammate, and I am truly glad he hose to play football at Alabama.