BREAKING NEWS: Ty Simpson Named 2025 Alabama Football Captain Honored With Hand and Cleat Prints at Iconic Denny Chimes
The University of Alabama has long been defined not only by its championships but also by the leaders who have carried the Crimson Tide legacy forward. In one of the program’s most symbolic and time-honored traditions, quarterback Ty Simpson has officially been named a captain for the 2025 Alabama football team, cementing his role as a centerpiece of the Crimson Tide’s upcoming campaign. With that distinction comes the honor of having his hand and cleat prints immortalized in concrete at the base of Denny Chimes, the towering bell and campus landmark that represents a bridge between Alabama football’s glorious past and its promising future.
For Simpson, the moment is not only about the recognition but also about the path that led him here. A former highly touted recruit, Simpson’s journey with Alabama has been one defined by persistence, resilience, and development. In an era where the transfer portal dominates college football headlines, Simpson’s decision to remain loyal to Alabama and continue developing under the Crimson Tide’s system has now paid off in a manner few could have predicted. His leadership qualities, on and off the field, set him apart from his peers, earning him the ultimate honor that every Crimson Tide player dreams of—being named a team captain at one of the most storied programs in sports history.
The tradition of casting captains’ prints at Denny Chimes is one of the most celebrated aspects of Alabama football’s history. Since 1948, captains of the Crimson Tide have placed their handprints and footprints in concrete around the iconic bell tower. Walking past the area is like flipping through pages of a living history book. Names of Alabama legends such as Joe Namath, Derrick Thomas, Cornelius Bennett, Julio Jones, and Bryce Young are forever remembered in that sacred space. Each print represents not only individual excellence but also the embodiment of Alabama football’s cultural values: toughness, accountability, and leadership. Simpson’s prints will now stand alongside those legends, ensuring that his name is enshrined in Crimson Tide history.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, now entering his second season leading the Tide, emphasized the significance of Simpson’s elevation to captaincy. DeBoer described Simpson as a player who commands the respect of his teammates and coaches alike, someone who understands that leadership is not just about play-calling or executing on Saturdays, but about setting a tone during every practice, film session, and team meeting. “Ty represents what it means to be a Crimson Tide leader,” DeBoer said. “He’s earned this with his consistency, his toughness, and his willingness to do the little things that inspire those around him. Alabama is built on players who step up when it matters most, and Ty is that type of guy.”
The road to this moment was not always straightforward for Simpson. Early in his Alabama career, he sat behind Jalen Milroe, watching and learning while waiting for his chance. There were questions about whether he would transfer in search of quicker playing time. Instead, Simpson doubled down, immersing himself in the culture of the program and steadily improving his game. His patience has now blossomed into leadership that resonates throughout the locker room. Teammates often describe him as someone who leads by example, combining humility with a quiet confidence that fits perfectly into the Tide’s tradition of steady, dependable captains.
When asked about the honor of becoming a captain and earning a permanent place at Denny Chimes, Simpson reflected on the weight of the moment. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “To be a captain at Alabama means more than words can describe. When I came here, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I believed in myself and I believed in this program. To now have the chance to represent my teammates and to have my hand and cleat prints alongside the legends of Alabama football—that’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
The tradition of Denny Chimes goes beyond football—it is a representation of what Alabama athletics and the university as a whole mean to generations of students and fans. The 115-foot tall tower has stood since 1929, but it was in 1948 that the custom of honoring football captains with hand and footprint ceremonies began. Today, it remains one of the most significant campus rituals, drawing crowds of students, alumni, and fans every spring during the A-Day celebration. For Simpson, knowing that thousands will walk by his prints each year—young fans who may one day dream of being in his place—is a humbling reality.
The announcement of Simpson as captain comes at a pivotal time for Alabama football. Entering the 2025 season, the Tide are determined to re-establish themselves as perennial contenders after a 2024 campaign that was filled with ups and downs under Coach DeBoer. Naming Simpson captain signals the program’s trust in his leadership to steady the team as they navigate a schedule that will only become more demanding with the SEC’s new nine-game format beginning in 2026. Simpson will be responsible not only for guiding the offense but also for being a unifying presence across the roster.
Alabama fans across the nation have already voiced their pride and excitement following the announcement. Social media platforms lit up with messages of congratulations, with many pointing to Simpson’s perseverance as an example for future Tide players. Former players also chimed in, reminding Simpson that wearing the “captain” label at Alabama comes with immense responsibility, but also unparalleled pride. For Alabama faithful, seeing one of their own achieve this status is a sign of hope and stability as the program navigates new leadership and evolving challenges in the college football landscape.
The story of Ty Simpson’s captaincy also reflects broader lessons about the nature of leadership and commitment in today’s game. In an age where instant gratification often outweighs loyalty, Simpson’s journey is proof that perseverance and faith in one’s abilities can lead to enduring rewards. By staying at Alabama and working to earn his teammates’ respect, he not only positioned himself for personal success but also demonstrated what the Crimson Tide culture is built upon—team before self, resilience before recognition, and long-term commitment over short-term gain.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Simpson, not just as a quarterback tasked with executing plays, but as a captain entrusted with steering Alabama through triumphs and challenges alike. His prints at Denny Chimes will be more than concrete impressions—they will serve as a reminder of his leadership, his sacrifice, and his belief in the Crimson Tide. Generations from now, fans will stop, look down at his hand and cleat prints, and remember the quarterback who once carried the mantle of Alabama football leadership into a new era.
For Simpson, that is perhaps the greatest honor of all. “When I see those prints go into the ground,” he said, “I’ll think about the people who helped me get here—my coaches, my teammates, my family, and the fans. This isn’t just my honor, it belongs to all of them. Alabama football is bigger than any one person, and I’m proud to be a small part of its history.”
With those words, Simpson captured the essence of what makes Alabama football special. It is not just about victories or championships, though those are plentiful. It is about the traditions, the bonds, and the legacies that extend far beyond the playing field. By being named captain and securing his place at Denny Chimes, Ty Simpson has joined the lineage of Crimson Tide greats who embody those values.
And so, as the bells of Denny Chimes prepare to toll on future Saturdays, they will ring with the reminder that a new leader has etched his name into Alabama football history. Ty Simpson’s captaincy, marked forever in stone, will serve as inspiration for future generations, a testament to patience, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of the Crimson Tide.
