Henry To'o To'o on how having 'fun' changed the Iron Bowl, Alabama's mentality

The hearts of Alabama faithful were in their throats after a dreadful first half by the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. However, one thing changed the game for Henry To’o To’o and his teammates against Auburn — having fun.

During Monday’s SEC Championship Game teleconference, the Alabama defender spoke about when the Iron Bowl tilted back into the Crimson Tide’s favor.

“It was definitely the team as a whole going into halftime. We just had the mentality of having each other’s back. Coach Saban told us to have fun,” stated To’o To’o. “So that kind of just let the relief off of everybody and just put everybody’s mindset to be able to go out there and have fun.

“It’s a game, and we can’t have any anxiety because that makes us play slower. Obviously, having Coach letting us loose and telling us to have fun was huge.”

While Nick Saban didn’t look happy going into halftime, his advice was clear-cut. Instead of getting on his players, the all-time great coach simply wanted them to let loose. Evidently, it was the correct strategy.

To’o To’o: ‘It’s just a different vibe.’

Moreover, To’o To’o was asked what he meant by the Crimson Tide having more fun. Media members don’t usually think of Saban as the fun-loving, party-type — but that’s what he’s been to get the most out of his players.

“It’s just a different vibe,” stated the star Alabama defender. “Obviously, we’re still going to work hard. We’re still going to do our job. We’re going to be mentally sound in what we have to do. But celebrating with each other, being around each other, smiling, not really stressing about what happened in the last play but focusing on the next play, and just playing the next play, that’s kind of the mentality we have.

“Obviously stacking those, everybody ends up having fun and getting the result that we want.”

Perhaps the secret to the success of the Crimson Tide is partying a little. Nick Saban looked like he was having fun after the game when he joined in on the team’s dance party, but letting his players have fun on the field changed the Iron Bowl.

Henry To’o To’o, Will Anderson and the rest of the Alabama defense will be looking to have some more fun in the SEC Championship Game. If they can end victorious, Nick Saban may be breaking out his dance moves once again.