LOOK: SEC wonderfully honors late Alabama sports writer at title game

The SEC paid tribute to Alabama beat writer Cecil Hurt ahead of Saturday’s SEC championship game. The long-time writer passed away from complications of pneumonia this season. Hurt served as the local newspaper’s sports editor and columnist and was a regular guest on local, regional and national sports programs.

In the place where Cecil Hurt would have covered Saturday’s SEC championship game between Alabama and Georgia, the conference set up his press credential and a book, which Hurt would often read before games or during breaks in the action.

Paying tribute to our friend @CecilHurt today pic.twitter.com/ezPf77Pd1S

— Chuck Dunlap (@SEC_Chuck) December 4, 2021

In addition to a spot within the area of 250 media credentialed spots, a screen within the press box was diverted from game action to show a memorial message remembering Cecil Hurt.

More about Cecil Hurt

Cecil Hurt graduated from the University of Alabama in 1981 with a degree in English and a minor in psychology. He was born in the Tuscaloosa area, where he established himself as the premier authority on Alabama football and basketball.

Hurt also played a major role in the Tuscaloosa News’ 2011 Pulitzer Prize win, providing unique coverage of the tornado which ravaged the city and claimed the lives of several residents. In addition, Hurt received the 2019 Mel Allen Media Award from the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and was a two-time National Sports Media Association’s Alabama Sportswriter of the Year.

Nick Saban remembers a friend

In the days after Cecil Hurt passed away, Alabama head coach Nick Saban also paid tribute to the colleague and friend he lost, offering words not often heard from the Hall of Famer.

“Cecil Hurt was a good friend and one of the best sports writers I have ever had the privilege of working with, not just at Alabama, but at all of our coaching stops,” Saban said. “he was a man of integrity and a fair-minded journalist blessed with wit, wisdom and an ability to paint a picture with his words that few have possessed. Cecil was loved throughout his community and state as an old-school journalist who covered the Alabama beat with class and professionalism. He was a role model for young writers and the most trusted source of news for Alabama fans everywhere. He leaves a wonderful legacy as one of sports journalism’s best. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as well as Alabama fans everywhere who loved Cecil as much as we did.”