Former President Donald Trump Says There’s One Thing About Alabama Football He’s Always Loved — and It’s Bigger Than Titles

In a world where politics and sports seldom intersect in meaningful ways, former President Donald Trump found common ground with millions of fans in the Deep South when he opened up about his admiration for one of college football’s most revered programs — the Alabama Crimson Tide. But it wasn’t just the championships, the Heisman winners, or the legendary coaches that caught Trump’s attention. According to him, the real magic of Alabama football lies in something deeper, more enduring, and unmistakably Southern: its tradition.

Trump, who has attended major sporting events throughout his political and business career, spoke recently about the unique place Alabama holds in the fabric of college football and, more importantly, American culture. In his remarks, he made clear that the winning history — impressive as it is — isn’t the sole reason for his appreciation of the Crimson Tide. “What I love about Alabama football is the tradition,” he said. “It’s not just about games or trophies. It’s about the people, the pride, the loyalty. It’s something you feel in your bones when you’re there.”

Alabama’s tradition is a living, breathing phenomenon. From the storied Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium to the decades-long echoes of “Roll Tide” reverberating from Huntsville to Mobile, the program’s aura is less about the scoreboard and more about the heartbeat of a state united around a team. This is the kind of culture that has kept fans coming back year after year, generation after generation — and it’s exactly what Trump was pointing to when he made his statement.

It’s no secret that Trump has aligned himself with college football fans on multiple occasions, especially in states that breathe the sport with a passion unmatched by any other form of entertainment. His appearances at national championship games, including Alabama’s 2020 title game against Clemson, were often met with roaring cheers from large swaths of the stadium. But his affinity for Alabama, specifically, seems to transcend simple politics. It’s about what the Crimson Tide represents: a sense of unbreakable identity and enduring community.

To understand what makes Alabama’s tradition so admired — even by a former President — you have to go back to the roots of the program. The Crimson Tide has long been defined by a relentless standard of excellence, dating back to Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas, and then into the era of Bear Bryant, whose houndstooth hat remains a symbol almost as iconic as the Alabama script ‘A’. Trump himself has referenced Bryant in the past, citing the legendary coach’s discipline and presence as something that left a lasting impression on him growing up.

But even beyond the statues and retired jerseys, Alabama football stands for something intangible. The tailgates on the Quad, the sea of crimson and white, the collective breath held before every kickoff — it’s a kind of ritual that’s equal parts sacred and thrilling. And for Trump, who often speaks in terms of loyalty and strength, that kind of ritual resonates.

“There’s just something about Alabama,” Trump continued. “You go to Tuscaloosa on a game day, and it’s like the whole place transforms. It’s respect. It’s love. It’s faith in something bigger than yourself. You don’t see that everywhere.”

Indeed, Alabama fans don’t just support their team — they live it. From the moment children are born in Alabama hospitals, they’re often swaddled in Crimson Tide blankets. Fall weddings are planned around the football schedule. Church services often end with a quick score update or a whispered “Roll Tide” between pews. The team isn’t just a pastime. It’s a pillar of life, something passed from father to son, mother to daughter, neighbor to neighbor.

That kind of consistency — that unwavering, emotional investment — is what Trump was alluding to. In a time where loyalty is often fleeting and allegiances shift with the wind, Alabama football offers something rock-solid. It’s a way of life that doesn’t change, regardless of who’s in office, what the stock market does, or what trends take over the internet.

For Trump, who built his brand on the concepts of strength, winning, and tradition, Alabama football represents an ideal fit. And for Alabama fans, hearing a national figure speak reverently about their beloved program only reinforced what they already knew: the Crimson Tide isn’t just a football team. It’s a beacon.

This kind of cultural magnetism has had a ripple effect well beyond the borders of Alabama. National recruiting, massive television ratings, and the global brand built under Nick Saban have pushed the Tide into rarefied air. Yet even with all the national attention and constant media scrutiny, the core of the Alabama identity has remained the same — blue-collar work ethic, discipline, and an overwhelming commitment to the team.

Trump also took time to praise the fan base itself. “You look at Alabama fans, and you see passion like no other. They stick with the team through everything. They don’t jump ship. That kind of loyalty — that’s America at its best,” he said.

And he’s not wrong. Through coaching changes, conference realignments, and heartbreak losses, Alabama fans have stayed resolute. In some ways, the football program has acted as a stabilizing force in a rapidly changing world — something dependable, something worth rallying around, something that unites people regardless of background, politics, or personal beliefs.

Of course, Trump’s comments also touched on Nick Saban, who many consider the greatest college football coach of all time. While the former president praised Saban’s unmatched leadership and success, he brought it back to what Saban has helped preserve and amplify: the Alabama tradition.

“Nick’s a winner — everybody knows that,” Trump said. “But more importantly, he understands the tradition. He didn’t just build a program. He protected something sacred.”

Indeed, under Saban’s reign, Alabama has become synonymous not just with dominance, but with sustainability. The ‘Process’ — the belief in preparation, focus, and team-first mentality — is practically gospel in Tuscaloosa. That framework has allowed Alabama to avoid the fate of other blue bloods that faltered under the weight of modern pressures. And it’s part of what makes the Tide’s tradition so unique: it’s been maintained even as the game around it has transformed.

Trump’s remarks also included a nod to Alabama’s military support, another pillar of tradition that runs deep through the Crimson Tide fabric. “Alabama’s always honored our military. They respect the flag, they love this country. That matters to me,” he said.

From flyovers to national anthem salutes to Veteran’s Day tributes at Bryant-Denny, the bond between Alabama football and service members is strong and deliberate. Patriotism and pride are not separate from the game day experience — they are central to it. That shared sense of respect, from players to fans to administrators, gives the Tide a sense of purpose that reaches far beyond Saturdays in the fall.

In closing, Trump didn’t hesitate to reaffirm his admiration for the entire culture surrounding Alabama football. “I’ve been to a lot of places,” he said. “But what Alabama has? That’s something special. That’s America.”

And perhaps that’s the most striking takeaway. In an era defined by division and constant noise, Alabama football offers something pure — a shared identity, a bond of tradition, and a rallying cry that requires no explanation: Roll Tide.

It’s not every day that a former president offers such heartfelt words about a college football team. But in this case, Donald Trump’s praise for Alabama wasn’t about scoring political points. It was about acknowledging something timeless, something that continues to inspire awe in those who witness it. Whether you’re a fan of Trump or not, his words ring true to anyone who has ever set foot in Tuscaloosa on a crisp fall afternoon.

Because when the band strikes up “Yea Alabama,” and the stadium erupts in unison, it’s impossible not to feel it — the tradition, the pride, the greatness. And that, as Trump said, is something to love.