The narrative took shape from the moment Jalen Hurts hopped to his feet in the end zone in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, pounding his chest with his right fist as teammates swarmed him.
Hurts had returned to the scene of his most-public failure -- a performance in last year's national championship game so ineffective Alabama turned to a largely untested true freshman in desperation -- and authored a storybook ending in the Crimson Tide's 35-28 comeback win over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
After then-Heisman Trophy favorite Tua Tagovailoa floundered on an injured ankle, Hurts entered the game with 11 minutes left and Alabama trailing by a touchdown.