Alabama reserve DB makes spiritual commitment

Marvin Gentry - USA TODAY Sports

Between the hours of Saturday night and Sunday morning, fans of the University of Alabama football program were in a mixture of emotions. After it was made known that the Crimson Tide would return to the College Football Playoff for a fourth straight time, numerous people took to social media to express their excitement and discuss travel plans for the upcoming game. 

While the masses were tuned into ESPN, one Alabama player made a decision that will go a long way in terms of discovering his inner joy, peace and spirituality.

Redshirt freshman Nigel Knott was baptized at Church of the Highlands in Northport, Ala. Using the praying hands emoji, he captioned a video he posted stating: ‘Happy to say I have decided to give my life to God!’ 

Happy to say I HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE MY LIFE TO GOD!'🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/rzctyzED8Q

— Nigel J. Knott (@NigelJarodKnott) December 3, 2017

Prior to making his faith known and enrolling at Alabama in 2016, Knott was a four-star cornerback from Madison, Miss.

He was one of the nation’s top cornerback prospects – ranking at No. 36 on the ESPN 300 and being the No. 5 corner on its recruiting network. 

Knott, who played in two games this season, sustained an injury during the week of Nov. 4; the Tide’s annual matchup against Louisiana State University at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

He did not practice in the following week and was seen on crutches. Alabama head coach Nick Saban simply said Knott was ‘out,’ not giving any specifics on his injury or where the mishap may have occurred. 

The third-string defensive back had recently recovered from a knee injury he suffered in his senior year (2015) at Germantown High School. Knott turned in 163 total tackles, seven interceptions and 15 pass breakups in two seasons. Despite next year possibly being more of his moment on the field, seeing him commit to God at a young age is something more valuable. 

Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.