There is something about the Walk of Champions in Tuscaloosa right outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Former Alabama star and Philadelphia receiver DeVonta Smith shared his memories of his time in Tuscaloosa, while also revealing his favorite memory of Nick Saban in an interview with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

The secret of the Tide’s success is that it isn’t a secret.

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“The structure,” Smith explained. “Being mentally ready for the game and just understanding the overall part of the game. It’s not like, ‘Oh we are going to draw these lines, and you are going to go out there and play.’ You are going to understand why you’re doing it, and then you go out and do it physically and mentally.”

Part of that structure is understanding the history, tradition and legacy laid out for people as they enter the stadium.

Smith then elaborated the experience as an Alabama player making that special entrance ahead of a home game.

“When I first got here, it stopped at ‘15,” Smith said when Herbstreit pointed out the 2020 year added to the Walk of Champions. “And then being able to have two of them, be a part of two of them, just coming back now seeing them, I’m glad I came here, wouldn’t choose any other way.”

The walk on game day is something hard to describe.

“Oh man, it’s crazy, families on both sides, little kids shouting your names, you know fans are just ready to see you go out there and take the field,” Smith said.

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Despite recent cries from talking heads that Saban bullies the local media, Smith has only fond memories of Saban.

“He’s funny, man, everyone sees him as this mean, strict coach, but when you really get around him and get to know him, he’s funny,” Smith said. “He’s always cracking jokes.”

Smith holds the Alabama career records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions, and he’s also the SEC career record holder for receiving yards and touchdown receptions.

In 2020, Smith set SEC single-season records for receiving yards and TD receptions as he had 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns for Alabama’s undefeated CFP national-championship team.

Smith was a unanimous All-American, won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver and received the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award in 2020.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.