TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It began with an impromptu press conference hastily called in 2009.
Linebacker Rolando McClain didn’t suspect anything major when he received a phone call the Monday following the SEC Championship Game telling him to be at the football building the next morning; he was scheduled for a meeting with head coach Nick Saban followed by an interview session with media.
However, his suspicions were slightly aroused when being told to dress up, which was different because when players are on camera they almost always wear something Crimson Tide–related.
“I was thinking, ‘Why do I need to wear slacks and a collared shirt?