It takes more than talent and understanding your role on offense to be a quarterback for Alabama football.
Some of the best signal-callers in the Nick Saban era had a personality about them.
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AJ McCarron was super competitive, Mac Jones had a cackle in his laugh, Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young were humble leaders who knew they were elite, and Jalen Hurts carried a face that never changed no matter the moment. Jalen Milroe, a first-year starter, has grown with this Crimson Tide team. He is in a situation where he can help the Tide clinch an SEC West title and compete for a conference championship with a victory over Louisiana State University. He has the tools as a passer and the athleticism, but there is a special quality about Milroe’s personality. The sophomore is an infectious leader who brings others together with his laugh. We saw the native Texan laugh in the postgame CBS interview with Nick Saban and Jenny Dell after Alabama’s 34-20 victory over Tennessee. Everyone heard the laugh and fell more in love with Milroe as a team guy.
Where did Milroe’s laugh come from? He addressed it in Monday’s press conference.
“It all started when I was younger,” Milroe said about how his laugh originated.
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“My mom always talks about my laugh. My laugh makes other people laugh, and I did not really know what she meant by that until I got older. She always mentioned something about my laugh, it’s so infectious. That moment after the game … was probably one of the funniest moments on the field. I will always remember that moment. That was funny.”
Milroe saw his head coach in a moment of joy after beating Tennessee.
Saban chewed on a cigar, and Milroe could not help but laugh at Saban enjoying himself. He has an opportunity to lead Alabama to a significant victory on Saturday with LSU coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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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 @CoachingMSmith.
