Jalen Milroe Only Getting Started Writing His Story

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2024 Black History Makers of Alabama.

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The Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter, for their continued support.

Black History Maker of Alabama - Jalen Milroe

While Jalen Milroe was not born in Alabama, the current Crimson Tide quarterback still has an impact on black history in the state of Alabama. Milroe is from Katy, Texas, and was originally committed to playing football for the Texas Longhorns. However, Alabama stepped in, and Milroe committed to Coach Saban and the Crimson Tide. During his high school years, Milroe threw for 5,416 yards and rushed for 1,283 yards with 76 total touchdowns over three seasons. He was a four-star quarterback who enrolled at Alabama in January 2021.

Milroe's beginning in Alabama was not easy. His first career start came in 2022 against Texas A&M. In a game where he had three turnovers and Alabama only won by four points, many Crimson Tide fans questioned Milroe's ability to lead the team effectively as a quarterback.

During the quarterback competition in the 2022-2023 offseason, Milroe was doubted as the starter, not only by the Alabama faithful but also by the national media. The noise grew, 'Can Jalen Milroe lead Alabama?"

The questions only continued following a week two loss to Texas at home in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans clamored for a change. However, when they got their wish, they asked for Milroe to return to the starting lineup after a narrow victory over South Florida.

Milroe, who was baptized in 2022, said during Rose Bowl media availability that he leaned on his faith when he was benched after the Texas loss,

 God makes no mistakes. Biggest thing for me is follow through with God’s plan and lean on him, not on my own understanding. That is something that I truly took to heart, and I have a great support system around me that will lift me through anything.

During that situation it was big for me to lean on my Lord and Savior and also my family, and that was something that got me through that situation.

Milroe hit his stride after returning to the starting lineup, leading Alabama to its 30th SEC championship with a win over the Georgia Bulldogs and an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Milroe's story at the Capstone is only beginning. After getting his degree, Milroe is returning to Alabama for another season under new head coach Kalen DeBoer and looks to lead the Crimson Tide to another playoff appearance and potentially earn more hardware on his way to the NFL draft.

Jalen Milroe is a black history maker because he shows that if you have a strong foundation through adversity, it can help strengthen and improve yourself. If you believe in yourself, even when nobody else does, you can put in the work and rise to the challenge.

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