Alabama has — or at least had — an alternate jersey too. “We had one throwback jersey when I played there,” Arenas said. “Y’all probably didn’t even know it. All it had was houndstooth threaded throughout the whole jersey.

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team has had 375 players drafted into the National Football League (NFL) since the league began holding drafts in 1936.

Alabama football has worn the same uniform, with slight variations over time, for decades. The Crimson Tide have worn white helmets in the 1960s, which included a houndstooth design in the jersey. But that idea only lasted for one game.

1981
In modern times, the first game Alabama players had names on their jerseys was the 1981 Cotton Bowl. They were off the jerseys for a time afterward, but returned for good a bit later until today.

Other notable years the Crimson Tide wore white helmets include 1949 (with a Crimson stripe), 1955 (all white), 1956 (the stripe returned), 1971 (in the opener against Southern California and again against Houston), and 1983-84 (Alabama used both white and crimson helmets).

Crimson
White
Alabama Crimson Tide football/Colors

A total of 19 Crimson Tide quarterbacks, Tagovailoa and Jones included, have been drafted in the NFL. Only four (Starr, Stabler, Scott Hunter and Todd) have hit the 4,000-yard passing benchmark. Only four (Starr, Stabler, Hunter and Tagovailoa) have a winning record.

six running backs
One position Alabama has a strong hold on is running back. With six running backs active in the NFL, the Crimson Tide is well represented.

Alabama players will wear No. 28 stickers on their helmets during the Tide’s game against Tennessee Saturday in honor of former teammate Altee Tenpenny. Tenpenny had been on the team at Nicholls State in Louisiana before being dismissed by the team Monday.

Big Al
Alabama Crimson Tide football/Mascots

Why is Alabama’s Mascot an Elephant Named Big Al? Only University of Alabama Crimson Tide football super fans know everything about their program’s history.

In 2006, Alabama wore a special commemorative crimson jerseys with a houndstooth trim on the collars, against Ole Miss to honor the 25th anniversary of Bryant’s 315 win (the Crimson Tide won in overtime).

three
Bart Starr, Joe Namath, and Kenneth Stabler all had success in the National Football League as quarterbacks from Alabama. All three won at least one Super Bowl and were leaders for their respective teams.

Students, football players and fans alike from the Northeast began enrolling at Alabama at such a rate that by 1930, over one-third of the student body was from out-of-state. Wade led the Crimson Tide to two more national titles in 1926 and 1930.

Alabama’s minor makeover was its first apparel change in several years, joining a special 2012 BCS National Championship Game ensemble and a Pro Combat ‘houndstooth’ alternate in 2010. The Crimson Tide signed a seven-year extension with Nike in 2010, making it the most lucrative Nike deal in college sports.

Alabama’s current crimson helmet with white numerals and a gray facemask was introduced in 1960 and has been the gameday staple since, paired with the team’s familiar all-white road combination or crimson jerseys at home. In 1971, the Crimson Tide officially retired their white helmets which had been worn various times during the 1950s and 1960s.

University of Alabama Football Team. The Alabama Crimson Tide football program represents the University of Alabama (variously Alabama, UA, or Bama) in the sport of American football.