For Landon Dickerson, the No. 1 52-24 victory over No. 3 Ohio State for the national CFP championship was all about brotherhood.
The Alabama center, three weeks away from knee surgery that ended the season, simply wanted to finish what it started.
If it weren’t for his persistence and one last defeat by Brian Robinson, he wouldn’t have had that chance.
In an interview with “3 Man Front” at WJOX in Birmingham, Dickerson said he “ran into the medical team, rocked for the national title game before asking Nick Saban if he could and begged him to join the game before the final seconds passed off the clock.
“It wasn’t about me,” he said. “It was about going out with the team again. I admit it was a little selfish of me, because I wanted to be outside dressed, going through the warm-up before the game, talking to my guys one last time. This was a special team. Being able to be a part of that and being close to those guys at that time and in that game – it’s almost like a Disney movie. It is one of those things that I will remember for the rest of my life. “
Dickerson was taken off the field during the SEC championship game on December 19. So many on social media were surprised when he was on the pitch before the CFP title game started in full swing.
“The day after the ACL surgery, I returned my crutches,” he said. I had run into the medical team. “Dr. (Lyle) Cain and Jeff Allen, I told them going to the Rose Bowl, ‘You know I can play.’ And, of course, they never believed me.
During the training sessions leading up to the victory over Notre Dame and the CFP title game against Ohio State, Dickerson went to train. He worked on quarterback changes and ran a little. “Obviously, it scared them.”
Like his teammates, he packed his suitcase for Miami.
“The day before the game, I went to see coach Saban and asked him if I could get dressed for the game. I knew I already had my stuff down there. He said he had no problem getting dressed.
“As soon as I overcame that obstacle, I thought that since I’m dressed I might as well go out and warm up before the game and take pictures with the quarterbacks and run a little bit and now see how far I can go to Dr. Cain explodes in frustration. “
During the game, Dickerson continued to probe Kane to find a way to get into the game.
“He told me that if we go up how many scores – I think he said something unreal, like four touchdowns – I’ll let you in. I don’t think it would ever happen in your mind. ”
With about four minutes to go, Dickerson was still defending his position, as Alabama “was just throwing the ball. He didn’t want to either, but he finally gave in to letting him play if Tide went into winning formation. Dickerson said that Cain would ask Saban.
It almost didn’t happen. The Tide was facing a third and 9 in his 42 with 1:30 remaining. Certainly, Tide would have to hit, but Robinson took off with a 12-yard gain for Ohio State 45. Tide had a new series of casualties.
“B-Rob ran and, damn, I got excited and rushed,” said Dickerson. I ran to the coach and didn’t even ask. I said, ‘Hey, coach, I’m going in to take these final pictures.’ He said, ‘Okay, go ahead.’ “
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.