Kalen DeBoer is nurturing something special in Alabama. After Nick Saban’s exit, there were concerns about whether the Crimson Tide could maintain their winning legacy. After all, the GOAT Saban brought in 7 national championship titles and made Alabama a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.

But DeBoer seems to be finding his own way to keep the tradition alive while focusing more on a wholesome development. This weekend, the Alabama head coach introduced a new, sweet ‘teammate’, and the moment is capturing hearts online. 

DeBoer welcomed 10-year-old Susanna to the team. Susanna is battling Friedreich’s Ataxia, which usually attacks the nervous system and, in her case, is also eating up her heart. But Susanna is a true warrior and DeBoer gives her the credit she deserves. The HC also asked her about her favorite position, and without missing a beat, she said, “running back,” while also expressing a special fondness for Alabama’s quarterback, Jalen Milroe. Well, it’s sure a sweet moment for Milroe to hear that.

But DeBoer didn’t stop there—he wanted to make it even more fun. He called Susanna onto the field for a little game, setting up the offense against the defense. Naturally, Susanna joined her favorite quarterback and running backs on the offensive side. “We’d like to see you score a touchdown,” DeBoer told her, adding, “Your guy right there, Jalen Milroe, is gonna hand you the ball as a running back. Let’s see if you can score and celebrate in the end zone!”

Moments later, Milroe & Co. rallied around Susanna, and she scored a touchdown against the defense. DeBoer turned what started as a tear-jerking moment into a joyful, unforgettable memory for Susanna. And the internet is absolutely loving it.

Internet crowns Kalen DeBoer & Co. as the best

Kalen DeBoer is building more than just a winning team in Alabama. He’s for sure fostering some ‘great men’. After their special game with Susanna, the players signed a football for her as a gift. Now, the heartfelt gesture earned them lots of praise from fans. One Instagram user captured the mood perfectly: “Thanks to Coach DeBoer for bringing this with him to Alabama and proud of these players. Carrying on the tradition of building better men. for this young lady and her family. Keep up the good fight!! ROLL TIDE!!!”

The comments kept pouring in on Alabama football’s official IG page. “God protect that precious girl and these men who made her feel like a queen. ROLL TIDE,” one fan wrote, shouting out Jalen Milroe and his teammates. Well, Milroe seems to have a knack for connecting with kids. Even last month, during fall camp practice, he had a sweet interaction with a little boy that also went viral. He later signed a T-shirt for him, winning even more hearts. And fans are praising not just Milroe but the entire Crimson Tide team. This is what champions and real leaders are made of,” one fan commented. Another added, “There’s no better team than Alabama.”

Well, there’s no doubt that Alabama is the No.1 team given the culture they are brewing. “That’s y this is the best program in cfb” one fan wrote perfectly. Looks like DeBoer and his boys’ off-the-field antics are winning more hearts nowadays.