He earned a spot all to himself on a cover of Sports Illustrated, but former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake joined an elite group with Thursday’s accomplishment.
Esteemed Crimson Tide sports artist Daniel Moore only enshrines the cream of the crop in his coveted paintings.
Ex-Alabama players Derrick Thomas, Cornelius Bennett, Tyrone Prothro and Amari Cooper all know the feeling of being portrayed on Moore’s canvas for all eyes to see.
'Finish!' is Moore's 2015 National Championship Commemorative! The 2nd in a 3-print set! https://t.co/FpuXptaJVb pic.twitter.com/QzKAiIlas0
— Daniel Moore Gallery (@DanielMooreNLA) February 19, 2016
Drake’s season in 2015 was met with adversity, yet one play made all the difference. With Alabama leading Clemson 31-27 in the College Football Playoff national title game, he fielded a kick at the five-yard line and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. His vision, cutback ability and acceleration guided him, a final stretch across the pylon gave the Crimson Tide six points.
The score gave Alabama a 38-27 advantage and would it eventually win the contest, 45-40.
Moore entitled the painting “Finish,” which was the team’s motto during the 2015 offseason. Moore’s artwork can be found on www.newlifeart.com.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
