Nick Saban displaying runner-up 'participation trophy' to motivate his players

Alabama lost to Georgia during last season’s national championship game, and Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is using that defeat to fuel his team heading into the upcoming campaign.

The Bulldogs beat the Crimson Tide 33-18 in January, ensuring that the Crimson Tide would not win back-to-back titles.

According to Michael Casagrande of The Alabama Media Group, Saban is prominently displaying last year’s runner-up trophy at the team’s facility.

Offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor told Casagrande on Friday that the trophy is sitting in the team’s dining facility, and that the team is using it as extra motivation for 2022.

“It’s a participation trophy,” Ekiyor said. “You made it but you didn’t do anything. You didn’t win. I wouldn’t say we fully turned the page but there’s always going to be something that externally motivates us. Yeah, that’s all I’ve got to say.”

Ekiyor also said that a sign under the trophy reads “participation trophy. Are you happy with it?” He added that the setup reminds the players about what they are working toward.

Saban and the Crimson Tide are not used to losing national championships. He has dominated the college football landscape for more than a decade with his six national titles at Alabama (seven overall).

Alabama is returning plenty of talent on both sides of the ball this season, including reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback. If all goes well, the Crimson Tide may get to replace last year’s second-place trophy with a championship one in January.