The Goat Pen

When Alabama players take the field in Tuscaloosa this season, not only will they be gunning for their second national title in three years, but they will all play with a heightened sense of purpose.

Having lived through the devastating tornado that shredded their community, the players and coaches know they are playing for a town.

Tuscaloosa is on the mend. Trees that littered the area have been removed, and buildings that were pulverized as if they'd been hit by a 500-pound bomb are being rebuilt. Still, Nick Saban and his team are mindful of the role they need to play in healing minds and hearts.

"It's nice to see our community coming back, and I think our team can play a role in that this fall by creating some enthusiasm for people to think about something else other than what we need to do to rebuild our community," Saban said. "I've been really proud to see how people have responded and are helping, and we will continue that."

Trent Richardson has been active from the onset, handing out food and doing everything he can to help.

"It's nice seeing so many people come down, and everybody in the area got together and pitched in to help out," the running back said. "FEMA did a really good job. I was out there with my mom and my friends passing out food. It was great to see so many people doing stuff to help the community in Tuscaloosa."

Still, there is a long way to go.

"I saw Hurricane Ivan and some of Hurricane Katrina, but I've never seen anything like this," Richardson said.

"You can see the devastation on TV, but when you meet the people who lost loved ones or who lost their homes or business, it personally resonates in how it affects people," Saban said. "In our first team meeting afterwards, we need to be a team in the worst of times, not just in the best of times. We need to support the people who have supported us who have been affected by a terrible tragedy."

As Saban, Richardson and Dont'a Hightower shuffled between interviews in Birmingham on the final day of SEC Media Days, a larger number of their teammates were teaming with players and coaches from Kent State to help rebuild a community an hour west.

"We have taken a community that was completely destroyed, everything but the church, about 70 homes, we are rebuilding that community," Saban said. "Most of the people who lived there were renters, and we're providing them with an opportunity to buy the homes in most cases for what they were paying in rent. We are doing whatever we can."

That will continue as the year unfolds. But the one thing they all know for sure? The best thing the Crimson Tide could do for the psyche of Tuscaloosa is to win.

AlabamAlum wrote:You will be sorely disappointed. Again. Tennessee has a real chance to win in 2012, though.

AlabamAlum wrote:I do not think the Vols will be a void team this year.

Also, Alabama has won 4-straight and 5 of the last 6. We also own the all time series.

I do love the nice round 18-year time frame. Lmao...