Alabama head football coach Nick Saban met with the media today to reflect on the deadly April 27, 2011 tornado that ravaged the city of Tuscaloosa and destroyed the community. Saban's football team was affected in the storm as long-snapper Carson Tinker broke his arm attempting to protect his fiancé. Tinker's fiancé, Ashley Harrison, was unfortunately one of the 64 victims of the vicious storm.

"Because of this storm, it really galvanized the communities in a lot of ways. A lot of people came together to really help each other. A lot of people contributed to what we had to do to rebuild our community and it's actually better now than ever before," said  Saban. "Certainly something that our presence was really neccessary, we tried to do a lot for a lot of people, Terry and I and Nick's Kids but I think our presence, just being there for people, was probably one of the most important things we did and I think it's a lesson for a lot of us to learn that when something bad happens, people need the support of other people and its something that really made us feel a part of the community."

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Saban, his players and his staff immediately went to work after the tornado with debris cleanup, home repairs and supply collections. The Saban's partnered with Habitat for Humanity and built 13 homes and further pledged to build a home for each national championship won.

"I think it galvanized our team and I think our team really wanted to accomplish something special for the community by winning a championship. I think the community certainly supported the team in a different kind of spirit than we've ever had," said Saban.

The Crimson Tide went on to a 25-2 record the next two seasons and won two consecutive BCS national championships in 2011 and 2012.

PHOTOS: April 27, 2011 Tornado

These images were taken by Getty Images photographers in the days following the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. Here is what Tuscaloosa saw in the aftermath of the storm.

 

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