Alabama QB Jalen Milroe talks most vulnerable time battling adversities with his father's help: "He stayed for a week with me"

Jalen Milroe, Alabama's redshirt sophomore quarterback, has navigated numerous challenges this past season with his father's unwavering support being a key factor. In a heartfelt Instagram clip shared by Bama Online, Milroe recounted how his father, Quentin Milroe, stayed with him in Tuscaloosa for a week, offering much-needed guidance.

Jalen Milroe faced a significant setback in Week 3 when he threw two interceptions against Texas that led to him getting benched.

The next week he was a mere spectator on the sidelines while Alabama bagged a 21-7 win over South Florida. Still, Milroe was confident in himself, most likely because his father had been his constant supporter.

"I come from a military background where my parents were all about structure," he told Baller Tribe. "They were hard on me, and it was always 'yes, sir' or 'no, sir.' It was during a dark time in college, facing true adversity for the first time, that I told my dad I wasn't okay.

"He stayed a whole week because he had never heard me say that before. It changed how he talked to me and how we dealt with adversity—being okay with talking about it."

Jalen Milroe emphasized the importance of expressing emotions and challenging societal norms that discourage men from showing vulnerability. He said:

"In society, we're taught that men shouldn't express their feelings because it makes us seem weak. But that's false. Emotions are like filling a water bottle to the top—it will spill over at some point. If we don't talk about our feelings, we risk blowing up later due to unresolved pain."

Despite early-season setbacks, including his Week 3 benching, Jalen Milroe made a remarkable comeback.

He delivered a standout performance outdueling Heisman frontrunner Jayden Daniels of LSU with 219 passing yards and 155 rushing yards, including four touchdowns, in a 42-28 victory.

Alabama football enters a new era with Jalen Milroe at the helm

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team is stepping into a new chapter for the 2024 college football season with Kalen DeBoer replacing Nick Saban as head coach. This change is expected to bring a different approach to the storied program.

Jalen Milroe, starting quarterback and potential Heisman Trophy contender, will play a pivotal role in this transition. Reflecting on the differences between Saban and DeBoer, Milroe shared an anecdote from practice to On3:

"I threw a really good deep ball, and everyone was celebrating. I was looking at the sideline for the next play. Coach DeBoer came up to me and said, 'I thought you were celebrating.' I told him I was just worried about the next play. He said, 'Well, I want you to celebrate. That was a really good pass.' That just changed my perspective."

Jalen Milroe is coming off a strong 2023 season, completing 65.8% of his passes for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. As the Crimson Tide adapts to DeBoer's leadership, Milroe's performance will be crucial in ensuring a smooth transition.