The Alabama Crimson Tide prides itself in playing tough football, but sometimes spectators do not see the full extent of that toughness that the players on the field do.

Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays recently shared a story about the last time the Volunteers matched up against the Tide last October that really puts the toughness of these players into perspective.

Get our free mobile app

Mays shared in an interview with Off the Hook Sports that Volunteers starting quarterback Hendon Hooker lost some of his teeth after suffering a hit from an Alabama player early in the first half, but remained in and played the entirety of the game.

“There was a play where it was a pretty blatant late hit, he threw the ball and then it was kind of a later hit,” Mays said. “And it was more to the head area. And it knocked like four of his teeth out. So this was probably like the second quarter of the game or something and he continued on and played like he wasn’t even fazed at all.”

Hooker finished that game in Bryant-Denny Stadium completing 19-of-28 passes for 282 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. The Vols did end up losing the game 52-24 after four total touchdowns from Bryce Young and an additional three touchdowns from Brian Robinson Jr.

Despite the loss, and, if what Mays is saying is in fact true, it shows that Hendon Hooker is one tough dude, and although he plays for the enemy Volunteers, he deserves some respect for that performance.

However, we love to see this level of intensity from the Alabama defense and hopefully they can carry that into this season as the revenge tour kicks off next month.

When Tennessee Beat Bama, These Things Didn’t Exist

Highest Earning Bama Pros of All-Time

The University of Alabama is known for constantly cranking out world-renowned athletes, but who of the best active or former pro players have the highest career contract earnings?

More From Tide 100.9