In Norman, Oklahoma, a figure gradually appeared from the southeastern tunnel of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, moving from obscurity, through artificial mist, and into the stadium’s illuminated expanse.
His identity was clear: Curtis Jackson, widely known as 50 Cent.
Holding a microphone, a prominent American hip-hop artist made his way onto the gridiron during the intermission between the third and fourth periods on Friday, wearing an Oklahoma pullover featuring the squad’s current slogan: Hard to Kill.
Ultimately, that particular expression proved more apt for the Sooners’ adversary.
Facing a 17-point deficit away from home in a challenging atmosphere during an initial College Football Playoff match, with its entire season at stake and potentially its head coach’s tenure uncertain, Alabama managed to persevere.
Resilient? That descriptor perfectly fits the 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide – who triumphed over Oklahoma on Friday evening, 34-24, executing a comeback somewhat unparalleled in the celebrated annals of this renowned football institution.
Numerous instances this season led us to believe they were finished. Defeated. Out of contention. Over.
Consider their state after the preseason eighth-ranked Tide’s defeat to Florida State. Or their lackluster performance in a November home contest against these same Oklahoma Sooners. Subsequently, they suffered a 21-point loss to Georgia in the SEC championship game. And, ultimately, just 19 minutes into Friday night’s contest, they found themselves behind by three touchdowns, appearing lethargic, dispirited, and completely disjointed.
What followed was an offensive drive covering 75 yards for a score, a punt deflection, a defensive touchdown from an interception, and a streak of 27 consecutive points. This was capped by a crucial defensive stop in a game decided by three points, and then an astonishing catch by Germie Bernard that finalized and secured their victory.
Athletes rushed off the playing surface, exclaiming, “We’re headed to LA! We’re headed to LA!”
Representatives from the Rose Bowl handed out individual roses, which players held between their teeth amidst a boisterous locker room festivity. The ninth-seeded Tide, with an 11-3 record, being the penultimate team to qualify, is scheduled to face the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, who boast a 13-0 record, in Pasadena on January 1st.
“Many of you dismissed us. We acknowledge that,” remarked a grinning Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson later, recognized as the central figure of this improbable resurgence.
Consider this: When Oklahoma established its 17-0 advantage, Simpson and Alabama’s offensive unit had accumulated merely 12 yards across nine plays and had been forced to punt on three occasions.
The Tide appeared disoriented. They resembled the docile aspect of their inconsistent season before their more aggressive side emerged. And it certainly did.
Alabama secured points on five out of their subsequent seven possessions – a surprising reversal, especially when recalling their preceding 18 drives extending back to the Iron Bowl, where Alabama had managed only two scoring drives.
“My goal was to convince the players to aim for just one score, then another. To gradually reduce the deficit,” stated Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. “Durability has been a recurring motif throughout the entire season. It manifested prominently this evening.”
A quick exchange occurring away from the podium following the post-game press conference revealed the coach’s astonishment. DeBoer quietly told Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, “Wow! I’ve never faced a 17-point deficit before!”
Alabama’s Keon Keeley celebrates after his team beat the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Stacy Revere via Getty Images)
DeBoer and Byrne exited the press conference room with purpose, sharing a celebratory embrace, a moment expected to lead to a fresh contract for the coach in the near future. Both parties have been negotiating a new agreement while the head coaching position at Michigan remains vacant.
What unfolds next in Ann Arbor? Many professionals in the sports world thought the Wolverines were anticipating the outcome of Friday night’s contest. A defeat for Alabama might have potentially facilitated a more earnest discussion with the coach regarding the University of Michigan’s open position.
The current recruitment process is now anticipated to shift away from DeBoer and toward a sequence of alternative prospects, with Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State being a prime example.
Had the Tide’s 17-point deficit persisted, resulting in a loss, would DeBoer genuinely have departed one of the nation’s premier coaching roles? If so, it would not have been due to insufficient backing from the Tide, according to former coach Nick Saban, who spoke on “College GameDay,” broadcast live from Norman on Friday.
“Kalen DeBoer enjoys the full and absolute endorsement of the University of Alabama,” Saban stated. “They intend for him to remain the coach at Alabama. Perhaps Michigan might secure him; I cannot say.”
Following this victory, it would now present a significant logistical obstacle. The Wolverines are not expected to prolong their search further, definitely not for an additional fortnight, when the Tide is scheduled to compete against the Hoosiers.
Two additional phases of competition lie beyond this point, and Simpson anticipates participating in them.
“Our journey is not over. That is my only statement,” he declared.
The Alabama signal-caller orchestrated the Tide’s revival from near defeat, metaphorically raising them from their interment, unearthing them from their grim situation.
Possessing incredible resilience? That describes these athletes, abundant in raw ability, honed proficiencies, and highly-touted recruits.
“The momentum of the match will return to our favor,” DeBoer remarked. “We possess an abundance of skilled players. That’s precisely what transpired this evening. The contest swung back in our direction.”
Key performers excelled throughout the impressive 17-point turnaround.
Simpson connected on passes of 23 and 29 yards to initiate the resurgence during that nine-play scoring drive. Tim Keenan obstructed a punt, resulting in a successful field goal. Zabien Brown intercepted a pass from Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, returning it 50 yards to equalize the score.
Following the halftime interval, Daniel Hill executed a 30-yard run – representing the Tide’s longest ground gain since the second week – and Simpson launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Lotzeir Brooks.
Ultimately, protecting a three-point advantage with approximately 8 minutes remaining, Bernard secured a 24-yard reception from behind a defensive player, managing to hold onto the ball in an extraordinary fashion before dropping to the ground, thereby setting up the decisive score that sealed the victory.
Difficult to eliminate?
That describes Alabama.
Bernard executed his reception moments after the unexpected appearance by 50 Cent. While the players gathered to ready themselves for the final quarter, the hip-hop artist surged onto the field, performing his popular track, “Many Men.”
Upon hearing the melody and recognizing the well-known face displayed on the stadium’s large screen, Alabama players burst from their sideline formation, gravitating towards the performer and singing along. Apparently, the team has a custom of listening to that song every Friday. It energized them considerably.
“It provided us with a boost,” stated linebacker Deontae Lawson later, looking at Simpson, who was alongside him at the post-game press conference podium.
Simpson chuckled and addressed the assembled journalists.
“To be frank,” he confessed. “I wasn’t aware that was 50 Cent, though I was familiar with the song itself.”
