It wasn’t the night that the University of Alabama football program expected.
To Crimson Tide fans it almost felt like a kick in the gut.
With three former players among the 25 to accept invitations and attend the NFL draft in Chicago, it was supposed to be a night of celebration as they were all expected to be among the 31 selections in the first round.
Most thought the worst-case scenario would be maybe one of them might not end up having his moment on stage, hugging the commissioner and holding up a jersey with his name on the back above the number “1.