• The Clemson Tigers mascot The Tiger cheers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    The Clemson Tigers mascot The Tiger cheers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
  • A Clemson Tigers fan looks on prior to the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
    A Clemson Tigers fan looks on prior to the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
  • Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers catches a 31 yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson #4 in the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
    Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers catches a 31 yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson #4 in the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
  • Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball in the third quarter against Da’Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball in the third quarter against Da’Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
  • Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers takes the field with his teammates prior to the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
    Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers takes the field with his teammates prior to the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
  • The Clemson Tigers huddle before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Norm Hall/Getty Images/AFP
    The Clemson Tigers huddle before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Norm Hall/Getty Images/AFP
  • Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers argues a call with the referees against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
    Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers argues a call with the referees against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
  • Daylon Charlot #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide misses a catch in the fourth quarter against Jordan Leggett #16 of the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Norm Hall/Getty Images/AFP
    Daylon Charlot #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide misses a catch in the fourth quarter against Jordan Leggett #16 of the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Norm Hall/Getty Images/AFP
  • A detailed view of the American flag during the national anthem prior to the start of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    A detailed view of the American flag during the national anthem prior to the start of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
  • Jordan Leggett #16 of the Clemson Tigers falls to the ground after making a catch against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
    Jordan Leggett #16 of the Clemson Tigers falls to the ground after making a catch against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
  • Alabama head coach Nick Saban gets doused after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. Alabama won 45-40. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP)
    Alabama head coach Nick Saban gets doused after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. Alabama won 45-40. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via AP)
  • Clemson's Deshaun Watson (4) throws while being rushed by Alabama's D.J. Pettway (57) during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
    Clemson's Deshaun Watson (4) throws while being rushed by Alabama's D.J. Pettway (57) during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
  • Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after being defeated by the Alabama Crimson Tide with a score of 45 to 40 in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
    Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after being defeated by the Alabama Crimson Tide with a score of 45 to 40 in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
  • Alabama's Kenyan Drake gets past Clemson's T.J. Green as he runs back a kick off for a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
    Alabama's Kenyan Drake gets past Clemson's T.J. Green as he runs back a kick off for a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  • Derrick Henry #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by kissing the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    Derrick Henry #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by kissing the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
  • Jake Coker #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after Derrick Henry #2 scored a one yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    Jake Coker #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after Derrick Henry #2 scored a one yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
  • Alabama's Ronnie Harrison (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson's Artavis Scott during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
    Alabama's Ronnie Harrison (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson's Artavis Scott during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
  • Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
    Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Sport

Instant classic: Alabama top Clemson in College Football Playoff championship – in pictures

Robert Mickelson

January 12, 2016

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North American SportInstant classicSportnational title game