Sylvester Croom's 'fraternity of the crimson jersey' speech was dead-on, Tide assistant says
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama released a video of former All-American and assistant coach Sylvester Croom’s speech to the team. Last Friday, before the Crimson Tide’s game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Croom addressed the players in the indoor practice facility.
“I want you guys to know some things about me, about playing here at Alabama. I want to talk to you about expectations,” Croom said. “You and I, we’re the same. We’re all in the same fraternity, the fraternity of that crimson jersey.
“I don’t know a lot of you guys, but I respect you because the minute you signed that scholarship to come to Alabama, that told me something about you. That told me that you weren’t ordinary. That told me that you were special people, because when you put that crimson jersey on, you’ve got to be special, because the expectations of wearing that jersey, it ain’t like nowhere else in the country. It ain’t like nowhere else in pro football.
“All any of the guys that’s ever won the jersey for, when you look in the mirror tomorrow morning and you put that jersey on, you know who you represent. You’re representing your family, you’re representing me, you’re representing every man. You’re representing Joe Namath, Musso, Ozzie Newsome, Julio Jones. Every man that’s ever worn that jersey is pulling for you, and he is in that locker room with you and he is on that sideline with you.
“And you play your ass off one play at a time and you strive to be perfect because that’s what wearing that red jersey means.”
Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach, who was promoted to assistant head coach this offseason, is part of that fraternity, having played linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 2002-05. Now leading his alma mater’s defensive linemen, Roach said Croom’s message to the team was important as Alabama enters the second half of its regular-season slate.
“I think it was dead-on,” Roach said after Wednesday’s practice. “Obviously, he knows. He’s had a lot of success, both on the field and coaching. And that’s true. It’s a crimson jersey fraternity.
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“I don’t know if people understand the significance it has to wear the crimson jersey and represent not only the people on the field but all the fans that we have. And it’s high expectations – it’s always been. Regardless of circumstances, that’s what it’s always been, and that’s why people come to Alabama.”
The brief speech resonated with the Tide players, so much so that they were asking about the former center who helped lead Alabama to three SEC championships and a national title.
They “did a really good job” of embracing Croom’s message, Roach said.
“Actually, some of my guys asked about it and who he was, and I told them,” Roach said. “But it’s good to hear what he had to say for them guys. I know sometimes some of those guys don’t understand the significance of playing here, and they learn as they go. It’s part of their development.
“But they received it and took it the right way, and they’ve gotta continue to get knowledge of what’s going and how we’re doing things.”
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