Alabama football players react to Donald Trump’s actions because they are angry about Georgia

Alabama football put on a show for special guest Donald Trump in the underdog’s 41-34 win over Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

When Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide built a 30-7 lead over the Bulldogs before halftime, it might seem like Trump was a good luck charm.

Georgia scored 21 unanswered points to make it a ball game in the fourth quarter, long after Trump’s early departure, only further supporting the claim.

Of course, Alabama fans who remember Trump’s inaugural appearance in Tuscaloosa would argue otherwise, as the Crimson Tide suffered its only loss of the 2019-2020 season to an LSU team en route to a national championship.

But how did Alabama football players and staff feel about the Republican national candidate’s presence for the Georgia game?

September 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Former President and current Republican nominee for President Donald J. Trump visits Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Alabama-Georgia football game. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

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From the moment his presence was announced by the university until his arrival midway through the game, Alabama football players didn’t think the Republican presidential candidate’s appearance was much of a problem.

Tight end CJ Dippre said he didn’t think it was a “major distraction.” In any case, he thought it was “pretty great.”

September 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end CJ Dippre (81) celebrates with Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) after Williams scored at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated South Florida 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

“I don’t get involved in politics. I don’t vote. I don’t get involved just because I don’t think I’m old enough to have to get involved with it right now,” Dippre said. loved having such an icon in the game.”

Others, like linebacker Jihaad Campbell, saw it as just another game day.

“We didn’t really care about external factors,” Campbell said. “We had ‘College GameDay’. I think the game was on ABC, a lot of things came to the game, and we didn’t let that get to our heads.”

The Crimson Tide football team continued practice on Thursday, August 1, 2024, as they prepare for the season opener and first game under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) cools down during a break.

Alabama’s struggle to the finish, capped by an electric 75-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Williams, was also not attributed to the Trump effect.

“We just had poise and kept fighting,” Campbell said.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football players react to former President Donald Trump’s actions