Fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with a parade

Fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide lined University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa for a parade to honor the team for its 42-14 victory over Notre Dame in the BCS national football championship. Members of the team walked along the parade route shaking hands with well-wishers and tossing out small souvenir footballs. One of the few players who rode included Jalston Fowler, who injured his knee during the Tide’s game against Western Kentucky in September. Saban was joined by his wife Terry, University of Alabama President Judy Bonner, and Athletic Director Mal Moore before the crowd. “Winning a back to back champion is one of the most difficult things to do in sports,” said Head Coach Nick Saban. For some in the audience the Notre Dame victory was more than just another championship. It was sweet revenge for a disappointing loss in the 1973 Sugar Bowl. “It was nice bit of redemption,” said Steve Marriman of Florence. “I was there sitting in the end zone watching that completed pass by Notre Dame to beat us there in the end. It (winning) never gets old, it’s been exciting for these past three or four years. The event was topped off by unveiling the date “2012” on the base of Coach Nick Saban’s statue at the walk of championships leading up to Bryant-Denny Stadium, signifying the team’s latest championship.