“THE LEGEND WHO NEVER WENT PRO: Why Alabama’s No. 32 Remains One of the Greatest Crimson Tide Players to Never Play a Down in the NFL”
Few moments in college football history have managed to transcend the boundaries of rivalry and regulation quite like Jalen Milroe’s miraculous touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond in the dying seconds of Alabama’s 27-24 victory over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. In a setting already known for madness, the 2023 Iron Bowl delivered a new chapter so dramatic, so electrifying, and so mythic in its finish that it has earned not just a place in Crimson Tide lore, but two distinct nicknames: “The Gravedigger” and “Fourth-and-31.” When one play garners multiple titles, it signals something far greater than a simple scoring strike—it marks a cultural touchstone in one of the fiercest rivalries in American sports.
The play itself defied logic. With Alabama trailing by four and time expiring, they found themselves on Auburn’s 31-yard line facing fourth down with the game on the line. Everything pointed toward an Auburn upset. The Tigers were on the cusp of denying Alabama a shot at the SEC title game and quite possibly the College Football Playoff. Then came the moment. Milroe took the snap, evaded pressure, and lofted a perfectly arced pass into the back corner of the end zone, where Isaiah Bond—almost an afterthought before the snap—drifted into the frame and secured the catch of a lifetime. Silence swept over Jordan-Hare, and then, moments later, jubilation erupted in the Alabama corner.
Dubbed “The Gravedigger” by some for the way it buried Auburn’s hopes in their own backyard, and “Fourth-and-31” by others in reference to the near-impossible down and distance, the touchdown is now a generational memory. Like “Kick Six” for Auburn fans a decade earlier, “Fourth-and-31” became a touchstone moment for the other side of this bitter feud. Ironically, both plays happened on that same field. But where one broke hearts in Tuscaloosa, the other crushed dreams in Auburn. The symmetry of the two moments further intensifies the mythos of this rivalry, adding layers to a feud already drenched in tradition and drama.
Jalen Milroe’s path to this moment was anything but straightforward. Early in the 2023 season, he was benched after a rocky start, and questions swirled about whether he was the right man to lead the Crimson Tide. But head coach Nick Saban stuck with him. Milroe, in turn, matured through adversity, growing in poise, vision, and confidence. By the time Alabama arrived in Auburn, Milroe had blossomed into a leader. That final drive was the crystallization of months of development and resilience. His ability to remain composed under crushing pressure, while knowing that any misstep could end Alabama’s season, spoke volumes about his evolution.
Isaiah Bond, too, was not supposed to be the hero. While a solid contributor throughout the season, Bond had not often been the focal point in Alabama’s offensive scheme. Yet in that moment, with Auburn defenders blanketing the end zone and time melting away, Bond’s awareness and trust in his quarterback created a path to history. The back-shoulder fade that Milroe delivered required not only timing and arm strength but an implicit understanding between two players who believed in each other when it mattered most. That belief turned what could have been a desperate heave into a masterpiece.
The reaction to the touchdown was instantaneous and visceral. Alabama fans erupted into ecstasy while Auburn supporters were left shell-shocked, unsure how victory had slipped from their grasp. On social media, the play trended across platforms within seconds, with fans and analysts alike debating which nickname fit best. “The Gravedigger” conjured up images of burial and finality—a perfect metaphor for Auburn’s dashed hopes. “Fourth-and-31,” on the other hand, was clean, surgical, and statistical—something that would live forever on paper and in video montages. Ultimately, both nicknames stuck because they captured different dimensions of the same unforgettable moment.
Historically, few college football plays achieve this level of instant canonization. Think Doug Flutie’s “Hail Mary,” Vince Young’s game-winning run in the Rose Bowl, or Kordell Stewart’s “Miracle at Michigan.” Each of those plays lived not just in box scores, but in highlight reels and football folklore. Milroe’s touchdown to Bond now lives in that rare air. And in the context of Alabama-Auburn, it’s a seismic moment that reshaped the rivalry. For years, Auburn fans pointed to “Kick Six” as an unbeatable trump card. Now, Alabama fans have their own miracle at Jordan-Hare.
The psychological swing in this rivalry cannot be overstated. Auburn had Alabama dead to rights. They had executed their game plan, controlled momentum, and positioned themselves to ruin the Tide’s postseason ambitions. A win would have sent ripple effects throughout the SEC. Instead, they were left staring into the void of what could have been. For Alabama, it was more than just another win; it was a confirmation of grit, of coaching brilliance, and of player development. It kept playoff dreams alive and reignited belief in a team that had wobbled early in the season.
The coaching decisions on that final drive also merit praise. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees trusted his quarterback to make the play despite the odds. The offensive line gave Milroe enough protection for a deep route to develop. The receivers ran disciplined routes, and Bond found the soft spot behind the secondary. Execution under pressure is the mark of great programs, and Alabama proved—once again—that they are built for the moment.
Beyond the field, the moment resonated deeply with alumni, fans, and former players. Legends of Alabama football, from Joe Namath to Derrick Henry, praised the play online. Analysts replayed it from every angle, breaking down its improbability. The broadcast footage, with Milroe’s calm expression before the snap and Saban’s reserved celebration afterward, has been played on a loop ever since. It wasn’t just a football play—it was theater, history, and emotion wrapped in one spiral.
Jalen Milroe’s legacy was instantly transformed. From being a quarterback under scrutiny to a legend in one throw, he joined the ranks of Alabama quarterbacks who will be remembered for more than just stats. His story of perseverance mirrors the values that Nick Saban has long preached: discipline, resilience, and faith in the process. The same goes for Isaiah Bond, whose name is now immortalized in the same breath as past Crimson Tide greats. Years from now, when fans recount the greatest Iron Bowl moments, Milroe to Bond will not just be remembered—it will be revered.
As the dust settled and Alabama advanced to the SEC Championship game, the implications of the play extended beyond the moment. The win kept them in the hunt for a national title and sent a message to the rest of the college football world: Never count out Alabama. Not when the stakes are high. Not when the odds seem insurmountable. Not even on fourth-and-31. Especially not on fourth-and-31.
And so, “The Gravedigger” and “Fourth-and-31” live on as dual monikers for a single play that defied explanation. It’s a rare feat when sports produces a moment so iconic that it requires more than one name to define it. But that’s exactly what happened when Jalen Milroe launched a prayer into the Auburn sky and Isaiah Bond came down with destiny in his hands. This was not just a touchdown—it was a declaration, a memory, and a miracle rolled into one.
For generations of Alabama fans, the catch will be retold in living rooms, bars, and tailgates across the South. It will be played on scoreboards, embedded in recruiting pitches, and etched into murals on campus. It joins a long lineage of Iron Bowl lore, where the stakes are massive and the outcomes are often mythic. And while the names “The Gravedigger” and “Fourth-and-31” might spark debate about which is more fitting, they both serve a larger truth: this was a moment too powerful for just one title. In the end, what matters most is that the Crimson Tide rose once more, when all seemed lost, through the arm of a once-doubted quarterback and the hands of a wideout who wrote himself into Alabama legend.
