This is an opinion column.

Eli Gold is a pro, his legend set in stone long ago, with a unique voice and way with words that has resonated with Alabama fans and lovers of language on the fly for decades.

You can say the same about Chris Stewart with one edit. He is building his legend one game at a time and likely will for decades to come until that sad day when he has to say one final time, “Alabama wins. Let’s get out of here.”

That day comes for all of us.

Chris taking over for Eli as the full-time, one-and-only voice of Alabama athletics is a natural transition – especially with Nick Saban retiring – save for the natural pushback on Eli’s part. He still loves what he does and wants to keep doing it as long as he’s physically able. If Alabama would rather he pass the torch now, it’s understandable that he would not go quietly into that good night.

I can’t and won’t choose sides – or call them by anything other than their first names – because I consider them friends. I also can relate to both of them.