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Senior moment
Published November 25, 2009
TUSCALOOSA — The crescendo of cheers started as the seniors gathered in the tunnel under the north end zone waiting to run out as they had many times before.
But this time it was different. This would be their last run onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama wrapped up the home schedule part of the 2009 season with a 45-0 victory over UT-Chattanooga on Nov. 21.
For Alabama defensive back and former North Jackson football standout Ali Sharrief, the game meant a chapter has closed in his long and acclaimed football career that started years ago while growing up in Stevenson.
Before the game, the university honored 27 seniors on the Crimson Tide football team as coach Nick Saban presented each one with an emblazoned game ball. Sharrief was joined on the field by his parents, Charles and Millie Sharrief of Stevenson. A host of friends and family were also in attendance.
“It means a lot to be recognized. Having the fans clap and hear your name called felt good. It shows that people care about you,” Sharrief said.
Sharrief was the first player out of the tunnel to start the senior day pregame program. He isn't an emotional type guy, but admitted he was on Saturday.
“We were emotional about today. I am going to miss all the guys that I came in with and the younger guys I have become close to,” Sharrief said.
“My experience here has been good. Five years is a long time. We had some ups and downs in the program but it is going good now. I’m glad I got a chance to play in front of the fans and experience this today in front of the young guys. We are like a little family. The older guys are like big brothers and the young guys like our little brothers.”
The game also marked a milestone for Sharrief who played in his 51st game for the Crimson Tide since his arrival at the Capstone in 2005. Since 2008 Sharrief has done just about everything for Alabama.
Most of his action has been on kickoff coverage teams where he lines up between Trent Richardson and Marquis Johnson on the left side on the line. In 2008 as a reserve free safety he got two starts when Alabama opened in the dime package on defense. He started his career on offense at reserve tailback in the 2006 season and got his first carry against Western Kentucky. He finished the season with three carries for 31 yards.
The 27 seniors honored have experienced many highs and lows in the program. Sharrief went from a 10-2 season and a Cotton Bowl win in 2005 to seeing the coach that recruited him, Mike Shula, fired after the next season. He stayed through the coaching change and has been rewarded. He will play in his second SEC Championship Game on Dec. and perhaps possibly a BCS National Championship Game if the Tide can win its final two games.
With Saturday's win over Chattanooga, Sharrief’s class has an overall five-year record of 46-17 in their Alabama careers, and a 30-6 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium. After a redshirt season in 2005, Sharrief has played in every game starting in 2006. Only he and senior guard Mike Johnson can claim that honor.
“My years here at Alabama, playing with these guys and having coaches like Coach Saban is going to prepare me for a successful life after football,” Sharrief said.
He is one of 13 Alabama players who are also college graduates. He obtained his degree in human environmental science and is working on a Financial Planning degree.
One of Sharrief’s teammates this year is freshman and North Jackson alum Tana Patrick. The linebacker has not played in a game this season and will use a redshirt year.
According the Sharrief, Patrick is doing fine and “is going to be a real good player here. He has the potential to be a great player. Big, strong, fast, he’s everything the coaches want. We talk and hang out some. He is so much younger than me that we lead different lives but we’re still cool. I just tried to encourage him.”
Sharrief said as a veteran player he talks to the new players about where the program has been but “the young guys coming in now are quick to buy into what Coach Saban is saying so it is not too much work on our part.”
Named to the 2008 SEC Academic Honor Roll, Sharrief has made a big impact off the field in the community. He has worked with and mentored students at Woodland Forrest Elementary School in Tuscaloosa. He won the Derrick Thomas Community Service Award in 2009, presented by the Alabama coaches. While the games at Bryant Denny Stadium have ended, the season is far from over. Three games remain and they are huge. First is the Iron Bowl in Auburn where Alabama has lost its last three trips to.
“It’s real big in my mind,” Sharrief said of Friday's Iron Bowl at Auburn. “I really want to play those guys. I would love another win. We just got to prepare and put ourselves in a position to win.
Sharrief was recruited by Auburn during his prep playing days at North Jackson. “It’s a rivalry between two in-state teams that really do not like each other. Those guys are going to try to beat us and destroy our dreams. I know everybody on our team wants to play and win.”
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