Jay Barker

By Gary Lloyd
Love of Sports Correspondent

You’ve heard the legendary names of some of Alabama’s top quarterbacks.

Joe Namath. Kenny Stabler. Bart Starr.

However, the Alabama quarterback with the best record in the school’s history is none of those three. It’s Jay Barker.

Barker compiled 35 wins in his college career against just two losses and one tie in the early 1990s. He also led the Tide to its last national championship in 1992.

In 1994, Barker won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Barker didn’t have a long pro career, though. He played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, then the New England Patriots and finally the Birmingham Bolts of the short-lived XFL.

He is currently a co-host of The Opening Drive, a morning radio show in Birmingham.

Those are all the accomplishments anyone can see on the outside. But what about accomplishments that may be overlooked?

I’m talking about the kind of person Jay is. Exhibit A can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnnr3hyzhSY

I was still under the age of 10 when Jay was leading the Tide with his amazingly accurate throws on the run, but I’ve met him more than a few times off the field.

And as long ago as some of those meetings have been, his personality’s never changed. When I sat with him at Huffman Methodist Church in Birmingham nearly a decade ago, he didn’t talk much football. He was in a church and was focused on the people he was speaking to.

When I ran into him at the University of Alabama Supply Store (where The Opening Drive is broadcast from), it was the same thing. The show was on a commercial break, so Jay walked over to me and my friends and just chatted about school and where we were from (Jay and I are both from Trussville, Alabama).

I urge all of you who read this article to check out Jay’s book from 1994, called “In Due Time.” Throughout the book, Jay discusses his faith and difficulties faced throughout his life and how we got through those tough times.

Jay was one of those players who gave all his glory to God. He didn’t take that lightly, either.

Definitely Old School, which is why we’re giving Barker some love today.

On any football, shirt or any other kind of Bama apparel Jay signed, he always ended his signature with the Bible verse Romans 8:28. I’ll end the same way.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”