Nick Saban meets Alabama superfan who has not missed a game for over 50 years

Nick Saban met Alabama superfan Tommy Ray, who has not missed a Crimson Tide game in over 50 years, on Saturday ahead of the team’s matchup against the visiting Georgia Bulldogs.

He had met every single Alabama head coach since Bear Bryant, except for Saban before today. Ray thanked Saban for all of his contributions to the team, as Saban took Alabama to new heights during a storied career.

After 53 years of not missing a single game, Alabama superfan Tommy Ray gets ready to attend his 664th game tonight pic.twitter.com/j4DwJz55yt

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 28, 2024

Saban also thanked Ray for his support of the team throughout the years, as it certainly takes a high level of commitment to not miss a game for even a full season, much less five whole decades.

Here’s a look at the moment, captured on College GameDay:

Alabama super fan, Tommy Ray, finally got to meet Coach Saban ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uSfGfTvgZI

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 28, 2024

Ray and the rest of the Alabama fan base will hope to see their team come out with the victory as they face the Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa.

It could prove a pivotal contest for both teams, and will reveal a lot about where things truly stand in a shaken-up SEC, as well as the race for QB1 which currently does involve quarterbacks Carson Beck and Jalen Milroe.

Crissy Froyd

Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.