Tua Tagovailoa is perhaps best known for replacing his fellow Alabama quarterback — something he did to help the Crimson Tide win the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship in heroic fashion.
On Saturday, the sophomore star almost relived his historic relief appearance … in the shoes of the other quarterback.
A Heisman Trophy candidate thanks to his gaudy numbers under center for Nick Saban this season, Tagovalioa was forced out of this weekend’s SEC Championship Game against Georgia with an ankle injury. According to The Athletic, the 20-year-old signal-caller even underwent surgery for the ailment during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s showdown. He was forced to watch as teammate, backup and former Alabama No. 1 Jalen Hurts saved the day, leading the Tide to a 35-28 win and its 13th straight victory of the year.
Different circumstances than Tagovailoa’s own big day back in January? Absolutely.
Different attitude from Tagovailoa? Absolutely not.
Famous for redirecting national championship glory to Jesus Christ, his professed Lord and Savior, the second-year quarterback was yet again a witness to testimony even amid his injury on Saturday, receiving prayer from Alabama alumnus and former NFL running back Shaun Alexander on his way into the locker room.
As Tua Tagovailoa is carted off the field after the game, former #Alabama great Shaun Alexander takes a moment to pray with him. #RollTide @Tuaamann #SECChampionship pic.twitter.com/5vQu7qP27C
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) December 2, 2018
Alexander is a big name after spending nine years in the NFL, where he went to three Pro Bowls, won a league MVP award and starred with the Seattle Seahawks from 2000-2007, appearing in Super Bowl XL. But he’s previously called himself a “Godly man first,” and a “Christian who loves the Lord that just happens to play football.” Those attitudes were evident at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he all but stopped the medical cart carrying Tagovailoa to offer prayer.
His mentality fit right in with Tagovailoa on Saturday, as the two embraced a word with the Lord before the Alabama quarterback reached his team locker room for evaluation. Tagovailoa himself admitted earlier in the season that he and fellow Heisman candidate Dwayne Haskins swap Bible verses. And he’s drawn praise before for both his on- and off-field dedication to his faith.
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