Alabama News

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every day until Aug. 29, Creg Stephenson is counting down significant numbers in Alabama football history, both in the lead-up to the 2025 football season and in commemoration of the Crimson Tide’s first national championship 100 years ago. The number could be attached to a year, a uniform number or even a football-specific statistic. We hope you enjoy.

Rarely has an Alabama football victory been more unlikely than on Oct. 20, 1990.

On that day at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., the Crimson Tide scored a 9-6 win over previously unbeaten Tennessee behind Philip Doyle’s 47-yard field goal as time expired. Alabama entered the game at 2-3 under first-year coach Gene Stallings, and had lost several of its top offensive weapons to injury early in the season.

“The only ones who thought we had a chance to win that football game were in our locker room,” Stallings told reporters afterward, and he was probably close to correct.

Alabama began the season with consecutive losses to Southern Miss, Florida and Georgia by a combined eight points. During the course of those defeats, star running back Siran Stacy and starting wide receivers Craig Sanderson and Prince Wimbley were lost for the season with injuries.

The Crimson Tide rebounded with decisive wins over Vanderbilt (59-28) and Southwestern Louisiana (25-6), but didn’t appear to have the offensive firepower to hang with the third-ranked Volunteers. Johnny Majors’ team was 4-0-2 and riding a 12-game unbeaten streak — with ties vs. national power Colorado and SEC rival Auburn — and had bludgeoned Florida 45-3 the previous week.

But neither team’s offense could do much on the Third Saturday in October, combining for five turnovers and less than 400 yards of total offense. The score stood 6-6 entering the final two minutes, with Doyle and Tennessee’s Greg Burke each having connected on a pair of field goals.

The Volunteers had the ball on Alabama’s 33-yard line, and sent Burke on to attempt a 50-yarder to take the lead with 1:35 to play. He’d made a 51-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter, but this time Crimson Tide safety Stacy Harrison burst through and blocked it with his facemask.

The ball rolled some 23 yards before Alabama recovered at the Tennessee 37. Now it was the Crimson Tide’s turn to try and get in position for a game-winning field goal.

Three plays netted seven yards and put the ball on the Vols’ 30. That brought on Doyle, who drilled the ball through the uprights to give Alabama its improbable victory.

Doyle — a unanimous All-American in 1990 — and Crimson Tide holder Jeff Wall wound up at the bottom of a pile, which would have resulted in a roughing the kicker penalty had the field goal failed. Consequently, Doyle said he never saw the full flight of his kick.

“We got hit pretty hard, so I didn’t see the ball go through,” Doyle said. “But I saw our people jumping around, and I went crazy. I went running around the field jumping and screaming.”

Harrison said he never had a concern over whether or not Doyle would make the kick.

“When the ball was blocked, when I saw it rolling past the 50-yard line, I knew it was a victory all the way,” Harrison said. “We have one of, if not the best, kicker in the nation. The whole team has a lot of confidence in him.”

Here are video highlights of the 1990 Alabama-Tennessee game. The blocked field goal/winning field goal sequence begins at about the 17-minute mark:

Alabama lost the following week to Penn State 9-0, but then reeled off four straight wins to finish the regular season at 7-4. The final victory was 16-7 over Auburn, the Crimson Tide’s first in the Iron Bowl since 1985.

Alabama lost 34-7 to Louisville in the Fiesta Bowl to finish 7-5, but the championship seeds had been planted by Stallings and his coaching staff. The Crimson Tide went 11-1 in 1991, then 13-0 with its first national championship in 13 years in 1992.

Doyle and Harrison were the biggest heroes of Alabama’s victory over Tennessee in 1990, but the game’s most-enduring legacy might be a post-game quote from Roger Shultz, the Crimson Tide’s All-SEC center. After hearing and reading all week in the media about how Alabama had no chance against the Volunteers — ESPN’s Lee Corso had referred to the Crimson as a “glorified high school team” at one point — Shultz fired off an all-timer of a dig to reporters after his team recorded its third straight victory in Knoxville, and fifth overall in the series.

“We ought to pay property tax on Neyland Stadium,” he said, “because we own it.”

Years later, Shultz — one of the more quotable players in Alabama football history — said the famous quip wasn’t at all pre-meditated.

“It just came off the top of my head,” Shultz said in 2016. “I’m not that smart. I didn’t even know if it made sense, but after I checked it out, it did make sense. I didn’t even know what property tax was at the time. I know about it now.

“It was just one of those spontaneous things that came out.”

Alabama’s winning streak over Tennessee would go on another three years before being broken in a 17-17 tie in 1993. The Crimson Tide didn’t lose again in Knoxville until 1996.

Coming Tuesday: Our countdown to kickoff continues with No. 46, when an Alabama running back carried the load in the Iron Bowl.

There was a time in the long and storied history of SEC Football Media Days, which began at the dawn of Bo Jackson’s senior year, when you couldn’t turn around without bumping into a national championship coach. Back in the summer of 2008, five of them roamed the halls at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.

LSU’s Les Miles was the reigning champ. Florida’s Urban Meyer was about to embark on a second championship season in three years. South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier carried that distinction from 1996 at Florida.

Alabama’s Nick Saban, who had yet to grab the big ring at Alabama, belonged to the club thanks to his 2003 LSU team. Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer, the boss of the title-winning Vols a decade earlier, didn’t know it at the time, but 2008 would be his last appearance as a head coach at Media Days, in person or by speaker phone.

Imagine. The SEC had only 12 football programs at the time, but five of them were coached by a man who’d taken a team from base camp to summit.

It wasn’t all that lonely at the top then. It is now. Your search for reasons behind the conference’s two-year national championship drought starts there.

At SEC Media Days 2025, a four-day, made-for-TV extravaganza that starts today in Atlanta, you will not run across a currently employed national championship head coach. Nor will you bump into a current coach who’s led his team to victory in the SEC Championship Game. That is, unless you show up Tuesday to see Georgia coach Kirby Smart.

In each case, it’s Smart, party of one. Entering his 10th season in Athens, Smart is the only SEC coach with a natty. He has two. He’s the only SEC coach with an SEC title. He has three. Along with Dabo Swinney and Ryan Day, Smart is one of only three coaches in the country at the moment with a national title.

To make the point even more pointed, only two of the SEC’s other 15 head coaches have ever led a team to the SEC Championship Game. Brian Kelly and LSU lost to Smart and Georgia in 2022. Steve Sarkisian and Texas lost to Smart and Georgia last year.

Mark Stoops and Hugh Freeze top the list of coaches with the longest service in the conference without working a sideline in Atlanta on the first Saturday in December. Stoops stands at the dawn of Year 13 at Kentucky. Freeze is set to begin his eighth season as an SEC head coach, his third at Auburn after an earlier five-year run at Ole Miss.

It might be a sign of the apocalypse upon us if either coach reaches this season’s SEC Championship Game.

While Smart is a competitor in search of a peer within the conference at the moment, he still has some distance to travel to reach the level of his elite predecessors. He’s third in all-time SEC Championship Game appearances with seven and victories with three, but that translates to a 3-4 record. While one more trip will equal Spurrier’s eight appearances, Smart needs two more wins to match Spurrier’s five.

Saban’s 11-1 record in the SEC Championship Game – highlighted by his 9-1 mark at Alabama – seems a bridge too far for Smart or anyone else to cross between now and Armageddon. But what’s happening now? Is anyone out there man enough to slow down Smart’s pursuit of more banners? Kelly? Sarkisian? Anyone?

Put Sarkisian on the short list of real contenders. In Texas’ first season in the conference, he drove the Longhorns to the SEC Championship Game, where they pushed Georgia to overtime before falling 22-19. Texas also has reached the playoffs the last two years.

The other best bet is Kalen DeBoer. His first season at Alabama earned mixed reviews, but he has two data points in his favor. He took Washington to the national championship game two years ago, and he’s undefeated against Smart and Sarkisian. The bad news: DeBoer is under water against Clark Lea and Brent Venables.

After Alabama’s thrilling 41-34 win over Georgia last season, the pressure will be on Smart and the Bulldogs when the Crimson Tide rolls into Sanford Stadium on Sept. 27. It took Saban two years to get Alabama to the SEC Championship Game. DeBoer can do the same under more difficult circumstances since the game now pits the league’s top two teams rather than division winners.

Smart is clearly the SEC’s top dog, but the contenders to be the league’s best coach aren’t what they used to be. If not Sarkisian or DeBoer, who? If not now, when? It’s a talking point as the Super Bowl of talking season kicks off.

Jelly Roll didn’t take too kindly to Logan Paul’s comments during the WWE SmackDown over the weekend.

Paul jumped onstage while the country music star was performing “Liar,” cutting the equipment and interrupting the song.

“Everyone is here to see real WWE superstars,” Paul said at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday. “Certainly not to listen to music made for people who have tattoos of their children but don’t have custody of them.

“You know what I’m disgusted by? Celebrities, personalities, influencers, whatever you wanna classify this as, coming into our industry, leeching off of our success, on a platform that we have built, brother.”

Randy Orton came out to defend Jelly Roll. Paul appeared to handle Orton before Jelly Roll got into the mix.

“I got your back,” Jelly said.

“I know you do. Love you brother,” Orton shot back.

According to the Tennessean, Jelly Roll and Orton are set to appear together in a tag-team match during WWE’s SummerSlam, which will take place in early August in New Jersey.

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.

This ethereal Pisces moon asks: What if there’s more to you — more range, more shadow, more magic, more volatility, more desire? The self is ongoing and expansive. This version of you is only one chapter. No one is fully defined by who they used to be, no matter how loved or accepted that version was. The full story is still unfolding.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There is no benefit to giving too much, especially if you’re giving it to the wrong people. Give to those who need the offering. Give the amount they need. That’s how your energy becomes a gift, not a drain, and the exchange leaves everyone stronger.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What you had to do to manage people in your life who are not so easy to manage has given you a set of emotional skills and a special level of intelligence that helps you in other areas of life. It’s a part of your competitive edge today.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve always known what people aren’t saying, but you don’t always listen to it because it’s so much work and it really doesn’t matter all the time. It certainly doesn’t matter today. You’re clear. You’re purposeful. They’ll work out their own thoughts; you stay on track with yours.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). What makes love real? It is, after all, just a feeling. But it’s a feeling that can alter your chemical design in the moment. It’s detectable in its effect. What about how it lifts you, feeds you, brings light in a place that hasn’t had enough of it? Revel in moments of real joy.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Life isn’t a new jigsaw puzzle you have to put together. It’s an old jigsaw puzzle in a recycled coffee can because the box is lost, and you’re not even sure all the pieces are all there, but you go at it anyway, and the picture is coming together.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your job isn’t to keep everyone around you in a constant state of approval — it’s to model strength, discernment and the truth that you are not an on-demand service. You’re a human. A spectacular, devoted, busy and wildly creative human.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No matter how a thing seems on paper, life doesn’t happen there, books do. Put all theories aside and pay attention to how things feel for you in real time. A task that’s meaningful, whether work or play, will bring you joy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In a sense everyone is some kind of “middleman,” and there’s no shame in it. You are connected to people who have and also to people who need. To bridge the two while also getting what you need out of the situation is the holy work of the day.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Empathy sharpens your vision. You read the room before the words start flying. You catch the glance, the shift, the tension. It’s not time to react yet. You may not even need to react at all. Your steadiness will set a tone. Just wait.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve been someone’s example — for better or worse. It’s fun to be the hero. It’s not so fun to be an example of what not to do, but at least you know you’re in the game, brave, influential, part of how we all move forward.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll be free of dangerous tunnel vision because you ask for feedback. A friend who plays devil’s advocate will be crucial to the success of a plan, allowing you to see what your audience will, and especially the doubters. You’ll find the full range, the right scale and more.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The way you think about yourself is far more critical than how others see you. They’re not picking you apart. In fact, most are far more accepting than you imagine. Every little bit of perfectionism you let go of makes room for more joy.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 14). It’s a year of contributing to something bigger than yourself and feeling your significance and belonging inside it. You’ll lead with a style so natural, people won’t realize they’re following — they’ll just want to be near you. More highlights: What you design gets used, shared and remembered. You’ll master a financial rhythm akin to freedom. You’ll take an unforgettable trip to meet inspiring people. Pisces and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 40, 7, 13 and 21.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: From Sue Sylvester on “Glee” to well over 200 more roles in her impressive filmography, Jane Lynch brings fierce emotional intelligence to comedy, grounding outrageous characters with heart and humanity. Lynch’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and her role as host of “Weakest Link” reflect her Cancerian nurturing command. Sun, Mercury and Venus in Cancer indicate the highly sensitive nature that many comedians share. Cancer crabs learn to protect themselves with the hard shell and pincers of humor.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

The Minnesota Twins chose Alabama pitcher Riley Quick at No. 36 in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Sunday night. But the right-hander from Hewitt-Trussville High School wasn’t the only former Crimson Tide player picked on the first night of the 2025 draft.

The Miami Marlins chose Florida State outfielder Max Williams at No. 78, and Williams started his career as a teammate of Quick’s as freshmen on the 2023 Alabama team.

Five prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges were selected on the first night of the 2025 draft, which featured three rounds and 105 picks:

• The Cincinnati Reds chose Hewitt-Trussville High School shortstop Steele Hall at No. 9.
• The Baltimore Orioles chose Auburn catcher/outfielder Ike Irish at No. 19.
• The Minnesota Twins chose Alabama pitcher Riley Quick (Hewitt-Trussville) at No. 36.
• The Cleveland Guardians chose Arizona outfielder Aaron Walton (Samford) at No. 66.
• The Miami Marlins chose Florida State outfielder Max Williams (Alabama) at No. 78.

Only three players have been selected directly from an Alabama high school sooner than Hall in Major League Baseball’s main summer draft.

Since MLB went to a once-yearly annual draft in 1987, the only prep pick from the state who went off earlier than Hall is pitcher Braxton Garrett. The Miami Marlins chose the Florence High School star at No. 7 in 2016.

The only other earlier picks straight from an Alabama high school in the main summer draft are shortstop Condredge Holloway from Lee High School in Huntsville by the Montreal Expos at No. 4 in 1971 and pitcher Rick James from Coffee High School in Florence by the Chicago Cubs at No. 6 in 1965.

Like Quick in 2022, Hall was Alabama’s Mr. Baseball at Hewitt-Trussville in 2025.

The Orioles chose Irish after the consensus All-American hit .364 and slugged .710 for the Tigers in 2025.

The only players drafted from Auburn with an earlier pick than Irish in baseball’s summer draft have been pitcher Casey Mize at No. 1 in 2018, pitcher Gregg Olson at No. 4 in 1988, first baseman Frank Thomas at No. 7 in 1989 and outfielder Gabe Gross at No. 15 in 2001.

The Twins chose Quick after the 6-foot-6 pitcher posted an 8-3 record for the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Since Major League Baseball instituted the one-draft system in 1987, Quick is the third-earliest pitching selection from the Crimson Tide. The New York Yankees chose Ben Hess at No. 26 in last year’s draft, and the Florida Marlins picked Taylor Tankersley at No. 27 in 2004.

The Guardians chose Walton with the first selection in Competition Balance Round B, which is sandwiched by the second and third rounds.

Before playing for the Wildcats in 2025, Walton played at Samford in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Walton hit .320 with 71 runs, 14 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 65 games for Arizona.

In his first season at Samford, Walton batted .233 in 35 games, with 23 starts. In his second season with the Bulldogs, Walton hit .286 with 52 runs, nine home runs and 15 stolen bases in 15 attempts in 56 games, with 54 starts.

The Marlins chose Williams with the third pick of the third round.

Before playing for the Seminoles in 2024 and 2025, Williams hit .320, but played in only 18 games, with three starts, for Alabama as a freshman. In 2025 at Florida State, Williams hit .321 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs in 57 games.

The draft will resume at 10:30 a.m. CDT Monday for the remaining 17 rounds, when 510 players will be picked. The second day of the draft will be livestreamed on MLB.com.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

“South Park” is no longer available to stream on Paramount+.

All 26 seasons of the popular animated comedy series have been wiped from the streaming service. While nine “South Park” specials like “South Park: The End of Obesity,” “South Park: Joining the Panderverse,” and “South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert” are still available on the platform, the actual series is gone.

Some reports claim that only Paramount+ subscribers outside of the U.S. are experiencing this, but as of Saturday morning, it appears that the show is no longer available for U.S. account holders as well.

Paramount+ has not publicly announced this, but the company responded to a fan who inquired about the show’s status.

“Unfortunately, ‘South Park’ has come to an end of the window in which we have the rights to carry it on Paramount+ which is why is now has to come down from the platform,” a Paramount+ representative wrote to a fan via email. The user then shared the statement on Reddit.

The news of “South Park” being removed comes amid tensions between the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Paramount Global. For context, Paramount Global is the parent company of Paramount+ and other major networks like Comedy Central, where “South Park” also airs.

The media empire is currently in the middle of a merger with another entertainment company, Skydance. This appears to be causing a host of problems behind the scenes.

Earlier this month, Comedy Central announced that “South Park” Season 27, which was originally slated to premiere on July 9, would be pushed back a few weeks.

In response, Parker and Stone took to the “South Park” official X account to tell fans that this wasn’t their decision. It read: “This merger is a s..tshow and it’s f—–g up ‘South Park.’ We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”

The Hollywood Reporter also reported last month that Parker and Stone threatened legal action against Paramount through their attorney, accusing the company’s incoming president, Jeff Shell, of interfering in their contract negotiations with other streaming platforms.

The outlet also reported that Paramount still has two years left on its $900 million deal for the digital rights to “South Park.”

It’s unclear when and if the beloved adult comedy will return to the streaming platform, but as of right now, “South Park” Season 27 is set to premiere on Comedy Central on Wednesday, July 23 at 10 p.m. ET.

For fans looking to watch old episodes of the show, all 26 seasons of “South Park” are available to stream on HBO Max.

A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 8:12 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 9 p.m. for Hale and Perry counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 8:12 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from Greensboro to near Uniontown. Movement was northeast at 25 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Marion, Greensboro, Newbern, Greensboro Municipal Airport, Vaiden, Judson College, Morgan Springs, Vaiden Field Airport, Cedarville, Laneville and Folsom.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

The Minnesota Twins chose Alabama pitcher Riley Quick with the 36th selection in Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft on Sunday night.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander was chosen in Competitive Balance Round A. Because he was chosen before the start of the second round of the 2025 draft, Quick is considered a first-round selection.

Since Major League Baseball instituted the one-draft system in 1987, Quick is the third-earliest pitching selection from the Crimson Tide. The New York Yankees chose Ben Hess at No. 26 in last year’s draft, and the Florida Marlins picked Taylor Tankersley at No. 27 in 2004.

Entering the 2025 season, Quick had a 2-1 record in 17 games, including one start, for Alabama. But this season, Quick started 14 games, posted an 8-3 record. In 62 innings, he had a 3.92 earned-run average and 70 strikeouts while yielding 62 hits and 24 walks.

The 2025 campaign was a comeback for Quick, who had elbow surgery after his lone start of the 2024 season.

Quick starred at Hewitt-Trussville High School before going to Alabama. He was a two-time All-State selection, the Class 7A Pitcher of the year in 2021 and 2022 and Alabama’s Mr. Baseball for 2022.

As a junior, Quick had a 9-2 record, two saves and an 0.99 ERA for the Huskies. In his senior season at Hewitt-Trussville, Quick went 13-1 with an 0.92 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 82.2 innings.

Quick also was a second-team All-State selection in 2020 and a first-team All-State selection in 2021 as an offensive lineman for the Hewitt-Trussville football team.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

Move over, Sydney Thomas, there is another University of Alabama ring girl going viral.

Marissa Ayers is trending on social media after her appearance at the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano match.

Ayers, a model and influencer, saw her popularity grow after Netflix’s broadcast of the women’s boxing match.

Taylor beat Serrano for the third time, winning a majority decision to remain the undisputed 140-pound champion. Taylor won by scores of 97-93 on two judges’ cards, while the third had it even at 95-95.

But it was Ayers, who scored big. She currently has roughly 376,000 Instagram followers and another 1.5 million on TikTok.

“I was just on Netflix,” she said in a video posted Saturday. “I still can’t believe that. … Part of history for women’s boxing. It was so cool. The vibes, the energy, it was so loud. It was so much fun.”

There are plenty of behind-the-scenes videos of the event she has posted.

Ayers isn’t the first ring girl with ties to Tuscaloosa to go viral.

The fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson – and the Netflix stream – may not have met expectations in November of 2024, but Thomas left her mark on the night.

Thomas went viral during the event. She recapped the night on Instagram, exclaiming, “What a night.”

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.

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 7:35 p.m. on Sunday for strong thunderstorms until 8:30 p.m. for Sumter, Greene and Marengo counties.

Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 7:34 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Tishabee to Jefferson. Movement was northeast at 15 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Demopolis, Eutaw, Jefferson, Forkland, Boligee, Pin Hook, Walden Quarters, Duffys Bend, Thornhill, Coatopa, Dug Hill, Tishabee, U.S. 80, AL 28, Old Spring Hill, Belmont, Demopolis Lock And Dam, Eutaw Municipal Airport, McDowell, Five Points Intersection and and Birdine.

The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.