In a time where so many people have mixed emotions about President Donald Trump, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide arrived in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to celebrate its national championship with the 45th commander-in-chief of the United States.
It is the fifth trip to the White House for the Crimson Tide since 2009, as the team presented Trump with a jersey and got a tour of the famous establishment.
Despite the various opinions of Trump and his staff, Saban dispelled thoughts on the possibility of players not attending the trip.
Offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher, running back Damien Harris and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis all were in player interviews on Monday. The trio discussed the honor of traveling to the White House, and Pierschbacher went into how Saban addressed the team before leaving.
“He said we are doing this regardless of your political thoughts,” Pierschbacher said of Saban on celebrating the national title with Trump. “We are going to celebrate this team and it is an honor to say that you have gone to the White House. This is something you can cherish forever.”
Harris, who is outspoken on social media when it comes to politics, talked about how important it is for the young players on the team to have this experience.
“It’s an incredible honor to be invited to the White House,” Harris said. “It comes with being a national champion, so we are thankful for the opportunity. There are a lot of young guys that haven’t been able to make this trip yet, so we are glad we got guys that can go for the first time and experience it like the older guys were able to.”
Lewis, a native of Washington, D.C., has never been to the White House.
He played football at St. John’s High School and was one of the nation’s top defensive end prospects upon arriving at Alabama in 2016. After recording one of the biggest plays of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game – sacking Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm in overtime – he discussed his excitement in taking his first trip to see the president.
“A lot of guys were not tripping on the situation of going to the White House,” Lewis said.
“For me, I wanted to go just for the fact that I’ve been in that city for a long time and never been to the White House. So, it is an honor and we have to think of it we’re not going for whatever the political problems and the president, it’s mainly the honor for just being at the White House.”
Even athletic trainer Jeff Allen is getting the most of his experience, making sure quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and tight end Miller Forristall are continuing to progress through injuries.
Quite a few players posted photos and videos on Twitter from the ceremony.
https://twitter.com/JalenHurts/status/983798331808903170
https://twitter.com/BigPooh_91/status/983772797615910913
Enjoying life and the experiences that come with it. #WhiteHouse2018👔 pic.twitter.com/PovxeuunHR
— Mack Wilson Sr. (@5mackwilson1) April 10, 2018
First Black President With Dreads 🙋🏿♂️! pic.twitter.com/O0Uf2hxLPt
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) April 10, 2018
Had a hell of a time at the White House. Thanks @realDonaldTrump / @POTUS for having us. pic.twitter.com/UZOWYxoCX5
— Mac Hereford (@Mac_Hereford) April 10, 2018
Saban and the Tide will return to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday for practice.
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.
