When Tyler Booker was a prized recruit and visited Alabama, he noticed Seth McLaughlin’s “Run The Damn Ball” hat. The statement has been a favorite of offensive linemen forever and started making its way into fashion in 2019. In Tuscaloosa, the obligation has fallen to the longtime Tide center.

As McLaughlin put it, the hat has “always been my thing.” And in an era of name image of likeness, McLaughlin decided to maximize what could be his final season in Tuscaloosa with the RTDB mantra. Throughout November, McLaughlin sold ‘RTDB’ hats, with all proceeds going to the West Alabama Food Bank.

On Wednesday, that effort led to McLaughlin making a $1,200 donation, proudly wearing his white cap.

“Coming up on the holiday season, I wanted to do something that would help give back to the community,” McLaughlin told reporters in November about the fundraiser. “We had this project set up early on in the season, and I didn’t feel comfortable about putting it out then, but now, it’s the holiday season, we’ve put all this work in, let’s do something good. I’ve really enjoyed meeting with the West Alabama Food Bank people and setting that up.”

McLaughlin has held down the middle of No. 8 Alabama’s offensive line all season, starting each of the Tide’s 12 games at center. McLaughlin made his first start in the 2021 SEC Championship game against Georgia. Coincidentally, that was the last time the No. 1 Bulldogs lost. In that effort and the national championship rematch, McLaughlin did not allow a sack.

The sides will rematch this weekend in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Crimson Tide has one of the best rushing attacks in the country but maybe without starter Jase McClellan. It’ll up up to McLaughlin, Booker and the rest of Alabama’s improving offensive line to create rush lanes and give quarterback Jalen Milroe time to throw and scramble.

“As I look back, with almost four years coming to an end, it’s pretty crazy,” McLaughlin said. “… It’s the biggest blessing that I’ve ever had.

“I’m super thankful for coach Saban believing in an undersized, 6-foot-3, 260-pound center from Buford, Georgia, all those years ago. Coming in as the lowest-ranked recruit in the class, it’s meant a lot to me to put the work in and show people that through hard work, you can play here and play at a high level.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].