TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– His tenure at the University of Alabama hasn’t always been consistent, however, fans took pride in what he accomplished last week at home versus the Auburn Tigers.
Each obstacle has been secondary for placekicker Adam Griffith, aside from escaping to the United States (Georgia) from Poland as a child. Despite collecting a national championship ring as a redshirt in 2012, his first taste of college football was not an enjoyable one. He found himself on the opposite side of fame, when a missed 57-yard field goal caused him to be the butt of every joke while negating a chance from his team to play for a third straight national title. Known as the “Kick Six,” images from 2013 would haunt Griffith for two years.
After recovering from a stress fracture in 2014, a moment of poetic justice was served during the following year at the Iron Bowl. Listed as the nation’s top-ranked high school kicker in 2011, Griffith re-wrote his own narrative against Auburn with five made field goals. He tied a single game record, helping Alabama defeat the Tigers 29-13 in 2015. Now a native of Calhoun, Ga., Griffith sees that everything happens for a reason.
On senior day, he was one of 23 players to grace Bryant-Denny Stadium for a final time. For a fan base that has stood by him through it all, the redshirt senior delivered coach Nick Saban his third straight win over Auburn.
He hit on all three of his field goal attempts, aiding the team to a 30-12 victory.
Whether it’s sexy or not, kickers need love too. Griffith found it with this year’s team, and there wasn’t a moment more evident than when receiver ArDarius Stewart spoke about him during interviews.
“My man is clutch,” Stewart said on Griffith. “I talk to him as well. He’s part of the scoring process and I was just telling him to keep his head in the game and knock them down.”
Since 2014, Griffith has improved his field goal percentage.
His hit on least 70 percent of his attempts, including nailing 17 of 23 tries (73.9%) this season. Getting the final laugh over Auburn should provide him with even more confidence, as Alabama enters postseason play.
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 @Smsmith_TDALMag.
