The lights were brightest on the grandest stage in American sports, and once again, the University of Alabama proved why it continues to be the gold standard for producing NFL talent. In a thrilling Super Bowl showdown at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, thanks largely to the unmatched performances of three former Alabama Crimson Tide standouts—quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and offensive lineman Landon Dickerson. The game was a testament to the dominance of the “Built by Bama” legacy, as these former college teammates joined forces once again to etch their names into football history.
From the moment the game began, it was clear the Eagles came prepared with something special. Leading the charge was Jalen Hurts, who continued his rise from college journeyman to NFL superstar. Calm, collected, and brimming with confidence, Hurts orchestrated an opening drive that spanned 75 yards and ended with a precisely thrown 14-yard touchdown strike to DeVonta Smith. It was the kind of beginning that set the tone for the night, and it showcased the seamless chemistry between the two former Alabama teammates. The throw was crisp, the route was sharp, and the celebration was pure, unfiltered emotion—a moment born in Tuscaloosa and reborn on the NFL’s grandest stage.
Hurts wasn’t done. He continued to outduel Patrick Mahomes, keeping the Eagles in command with pinpoint passes, timely scrambles, and the kind of leadership that simply can’t be taught. On the ground, he was lethal—scoring two rushing touchdowns and converting key third downs with his legs, refusing to let the Chiefs seize momentum. His pocket awareness was flawless, and he demonstrated an uncanny ability to escape pressure, often rolling out behind the sturdy protection of Landon Dickerson—his old friend and protector from Alabama days. Together, they made the Eagles offense hum with brutal efficiency.
Dickerson, a mountain of a man with unmatched versatility and intelligence, anchored the offensive line with surgical precision. Time and time again, he neutralized the Chiefs’ interior pressure, stifling attempts to collapse the pocket and giving Hurts all the time he needed to work his magic. His ability to read blitzes, call out protections, and deliver violent but clean blocks ensured that Philadelphia maintained the upper hand in the trenches—a crucial battleground that ultimately decided the outcome of the game. Dickerson didn’t just hold his ground; he dominated it.
Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith put on a clinic at the receiver position. Smooth in his routes and unguardable in open space, Smith tore through the Chiefs secondary with surgical precision. He tallied 123 receiving yards and added another touchdown, making acrobatic catches on the sideline and stretching the field vertically in ways that left Kansas City’s defense grasping for answers. His performance was reminiscent of his days at Alabama when he captured the Heisman Trophy—fluid, fast, and fundamentally sound. On the biggest stage, Smith once again proved why he’s one of the most reliable and electrifying playmakers in the sport.
The trio’s collective dominance was a walking, breathing billboard for Nick Saban’s program. Alabama had once again produced not only NFL-caliber talent but Super Bowl heroes. It wasn’t just about stats—it was about presence. Hurts’ control of the huddle, Smith’s consistency in the clutch, and Dickerson’s unwavering dominance on the line all came together in perfect harmony. The synergy between them, developed during grueling practices in Tuscaloosa, had matured into something lethal under the bright lights of New Orleans.
Beyond the numbers, what stood out most was the mental toughness they brought. When Kansas City stormed back in the third quarter to briefly take the lead, it was Hurts who calmed the storm. With steely resolve, he led a 12-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that included a perfectly placed back-shoulder throw to Smith on third down, followed by a quarterback draw that saw Hurts dive headfirst into the end zone for his second rushing score. The sequence was vintage Hurts—a nod to the battles he faced at Alabama, from losing his starting job to leading comeback wins. That internal fire was still alive, and it burned through every decision he made on the field.
Dickerson, despite being hobbled late in the game with a minor leg cramp, refused to come off the field during the final drive. As the Eagles milked the clock and pounded the ball to secure the win, Dickerson gutted out snap after snap, delivering pancake blocks and leading the way for the Eagles’ punishing ground attack. He later said in the postgame interview that quitting wasn’t an option—not in a moment like this. It was a response that encapsulated the Alabama mentality: toughness, discipline, and finishing the job no matter the circumstance.
Smith, too, made his mark in the game’s most pivotal moments. With less than three minutes left and the Eagles clinging to a narrow lead, Smith hauled in a sideline catch so delicate and precise it immediately drew comparisons to some of the greatest toe-drag plays in Super Bowl history. The play was reviewed, upheld, and ultimately sealed the win for Philadelphia. It was the dagger—and once again, it came from a player who had made a habit of delivering daggers ever since his walk-off touchdown in the 2018 National Championship game as a freshman at Alabama.
The game ended with the Eagles hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, confetti falling from the dome ceiling, and three Alabama legends standing arm in arm in the center of it all. Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP after compiling over 370 total yards and accounting for four touchdowns. Smith was the leading receiver in the game, and Dickerson was praised by analysts for his dominance in the trenches. As they celebrated with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts, the moment wasn’t just about Philadelphia—it was about Alabama. It was about being Built by Bama.
This Super Bowl didn’t just feature former Alabama players; it was defined by them. From the game’s opening whistle to its closing seconds, the Crimson Tide trio played as if the script had already been written. In a game full of stars, it was the Bama boys who shined the brightest, reminding the football world that no program prepares players for the NFL quite like the University of Alabama.
Critics of the “Built by Bama” slogan have often argued it’s just a branding tool, an overused recruiting pitch. But on this night, on this field, it was undeniable truth. Hurts, once benched in a title game but never broken, rose to the top of the NFL. Smith, once doubted for his size, stood taller than anyone when the game was on the line. And Dickerson, whose career was nearly derailed by multiple injuries in college, proved once again that toughness and talent aren’t mutually exclusive.
Together, they not only won a championship—they left a legacy. They became the embodiment of resilience, hard work, and excellence. And in doing so, they reminded the next generation of college athletes that the path from Tuscaloosa to the top of the football world is real, paved, and waiting for those willing to put in the work.
As the night came to a close, cameras captured the three embracing with former Alabama teammates and coaches who had traveled to witness the moment. The smiles were genuine, the brotherhood undeniable. In a league built on parity, unpredictability, and constant change, one truth remained as clear as ever—when it’s all on the line, bet on Bama.
The Philadelphia Eagles may have won the Super Bowl, but the message that rang loudest in New Orleans came straight from Alabama’s playbook: greatness isn’t given, it’s built. Built by Bama.
