After a thrilling victory in a fierce rivalry game on Saturday night, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson began his postgame comments with gratitude rather than football talk. He took a moment to thank Jesus.
Simpson orchestrated an impressive 15-play, 75-yard drive in the final minutes, capping it off with a fourth-down touchdown pass to Isiah Horton, which quieted the Auburn crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium and secured a 27-20 win in the much-anticipated “Iron Bowl.”
With 122 passing yards and three touchdowns, Simpson played a pivotal role in the No. 10 Crimson Tide’s 10-2 season, which also earned them a spot in the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
“First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus,” Simpson shared with ESPN after the game. “Playing in the Iron Bowl has been a childhood dream of mine. Thank God.”
One of the standout moments of the season was his 6-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass with just under four minutes remaining. Alabama’s head coach had the option to aim for a field goal that could’ve given them a lead but chose to trust Simpson’s ability to get the touchdown instead. Had the pass failed, Auburn could have taken the game with a field goal.
“It starts with the head coach. It’s about resiliency, and I think that’s going to keep us strong. A huge shout out to the O-line, the running backs, and the entire offense, plus the defense. What a fantastic team win,” Simpson said.
When reflecting on his composure during high-pressure fourth-down situations, Simpson again highlighted his faith, even quoting scripture.
“Having faith in the Lord and Savior, I’ve been in high-pressure situations before. If you read Micah 5:5, it reminds me to not be anxious—because I know the Lord will protect me,” he explained.
This season, Simpson has been open about his faith, having recently guided a night of worship and testimony at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the University of Alabama plays.
“In our family, we live by the motto: how can you have a bad day knowing what the Lord has done for us?” he mentioned back in October. “Jesus died for you… so no matter what happens, I know God has my back.”
Looking ahead, Alabama is set to face Georgia in the SEC Championship this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
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