Get that paper, lawya'...

The degree will always be there.

He was so titchy as a freshman.

I don't blog much about football; although it is an abiding passion, there are several others that do it much better than I. Although, as most folks know, I am a huge follower (and dual alum) of the University of Alabama, one of the quintessential football schools in the country (and, to their credit, one of the finer public schools in the nation).

 Come for the football, leave with a crippling cocaine addiction, alcoholism, a spouse and and one helluva' education.

Last year, for the first time in our nearly 120 year football history (although the University is going on 200 years pretty soon), we had a Heisman trophy winner. Added to that, was our 13th National Championship. Well, all good things come to an end,  and this weekend, we must bid adieu to three stalwarts off of that team who are leaving early.

Julio Jones (8) / Mark Ingram (22)

DE/Beastmode Marcel Dareus, All-everything WR/Beastmode Julio Jones, and Heisman winner, two-time All-American Mark Ingram. All three are projected to go in the first round of the NFL draft. All three have been terrors on the field, team players, contributors to the classroom and community, and --especially in the case of Ingram-- ambassador to the University.

Marcel Dareus (57) / Ingram. 

Champions all.

That said, go get that paper, lawya's. Play hard. Play well. Make your deserved money. Continue to represent the larger Alabama family with dignity. We are proud of you. But, when all is said and done, come home and get your degree. It'll be waiting for you.

Mark Ingram's Heisman acceptance speech: A more humble, grounded superstar you will never see.

Not a dry eye in the place, either.

-d.s.