Notable Alumni of the University of Alabama

The University of Alabama, standing as an institution of higher learning since 1831, has fostered the development of numerous influential individuals across various fields. Its slogan, "Where Legends Are Made," resonates deeply, particularly when considering the remarkable achievements of its alumni. From the realms of sports and politics to literature and the arts, graduates of the University have left an indelible mark on society. This article explores the lives and accomplishments of some of the most notable alumni who have walked the halls of the Capstone.

Athletics

The University of Alabama boasts a rich athletic tradition, producing numerous stars who have excelled at the professional level.

Football Legends

Joe Namath: Nicknamed "Broadway Joe," Namath played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning a national championship as a senior. He was drafted first overall by the New York Jets in the 1965 AFL draft and led them to victory in Super Bowl III. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bart Starr: Starr played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL draft. Starr is the only quarterback in NFL history to lead a team to three consecutive league championships (1965-1967). He led his team to victories in the first two Super Bowls: I and II.
Ken Stabler: Nicknamed "Snake", Stabler played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft. He helped the Raiders win their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI and was posthumously inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

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Derrick Henry: Known as "King Henry," he is known for his imposing style of play. He is the only player to have rushed for at least 2,000 yards in a season at the high school, college and professional levels.
Julio Jones: Jones played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he won a national championship in 2009, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2011 NFL draft. He is regarded as one of the greatest receivers of the 2010s.
Jalen Hurts: Hurts began his college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team to consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017. He is currently a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tua Tagovailoa: Tagovailoa played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was named the Offensive MVP of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. He is currently a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
Mac Jones: Jones played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he set the NCAA season records for passer rating and completion percentage as a junior en route to winning the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Henry Ruggs III: Ruggs played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a member of the team that won the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Eddie Lacy: Lacy played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a member of three BCS National Championship teams in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 seasons. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.
DeVonta Smith: Smith played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he recorded over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2020. He is currently a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Other Notable Athletes

Robert Horry: Horry, nicknamed "Big Shot Rob," is a former professional basketball player and current sports commentator. A seven-time NBA champion, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest clutch performers and winners in NBA history.
Justin Thomas: Thomas is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and is a former world number one. He has won two major golf championships, winning the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Literature and Journalism

The University of Alabama has nurtured talented writers and journalists who have made significant contributions to the world of literature and media.

Authors

Harper Lee: Lee was an American novelist whose 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and became a classic of modern American literature. Her second and final novel, Go Set a Watchman, was an earlier draft of Mockingbird, set at a later date, that was published in July 2015 as a sequel.
Winston Groom: Groom graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965. He is best known for authoring Forrest Gump.

Journalists and Media Personalities

Kaitlan Collins: Collins is an American journalist who is a news anchor on CNN. She is the former co-anchor of CNN This Morning. She also served as the network's Chief White House Correspondent.
Rece Davis: Davis is an ESPN personality who hosts ESPN's College GameDay for football and basketball.
Joe Scarborough: Scarborough is an American television host and former politician who is the co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC.

Politics and Law

The University of Alabama has produced numerous influential figures in the fields of politics and law, shaping policy and serving the public.

Politicians

Lady Bird Johnson: Johnson served as the first lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 as the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jeff Sessions: Sessions served as the 84th United States attorney general from 2017 to 2018. He previously served as United States senator from Alabama from 1997 to 2017.
Katie Britt: Britt is an American politician and attorney serving as the junior United States senator from Alabama. She is also the youngest Republican woman to be elected to the Senate.

Legal Professionals

William Baxley: Baxley was elected Alabama Attorney General at age 28 and served from 1971 to 1979.
Judge Joseph Colquitt: Colquitt was a circuit judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama from 1971 to 1991. In 1991, Judge Colquitt joined the faculty of the University of Alabama School of Law, where he served as the Jere L. Beasley Professor of Law and Director of Trial Advocacy until his retirement in 2018.
Judge David Crosland: Crosland is a 1966 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, has led a distinguished career in public service.

Arts and Entertainment

The University of Alabama has fostered the creative talents of individuals who have achieved recognition in the arts and entertainment industry.

Actors and Actresses

Sela Ward: Ward is an American actress known for her roles in the NBC drama series Sisters and the ABC drama series Once and Again.
Sonequa Martin-Green: Martin-Green is an American actress best known for her television roles as Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery and Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead.
Jim Nabors: Nabors was an American actor, singer, and comedian, widely known for his signature character, Gomer Pyle.

Other Notable Figures

Jimmy Wales: Wales is an American Internet entrepreneur, webmaster, and former financial trader. He is a co-founder of the non-profit free encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Hannah Brown: Brown is a native to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and graduated from the university in 2017. In 2018, she was crowned as Miss Alabama USA and later competed in Miss USA. She went on to be featured in the show The Bachelor in that same year, and in 2019 was the focus of The Bachelorette. She also participated in the show Dancing with the Stars.

Other Fields

Edward O. Wilson: Wilson was an American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, and entomologist known for developing the field of sociobiology.
Millard Fuller: Fuller co-founded one of the most well-known and successful nonprofit Christian organizations in the world, Habitat for Humanity International.

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