Alabama QB McCarron Led Tide to Title with Injured Ribs

Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championships with injured ribs.

The quarterback revealed this week that he played the last six games of the season–including Alabama’s BCS thumping over Notre Dame–with injured ribs that made it difficult for him to throw. 

“I had three ribs come out of place,” McCarron told ESPN. “They kept popping in and out of place, the one at the top, and it was just a nagging pain the whole time.”

McCarron is 25-2 as a starter and will return to try to lead Alabama in 2013 to a three-peat. 

When asked why he did not miss any games, the quarterback said it was his duty to play as the team’s leader. 

“It’s part of being a leader,” McCarron said.