Jalen Hurts was a champion long before Monday night. He just didn't have the biggest ring available to tangibly validate that fact.

One of the most celebrated and denigrated quarterbacks in Alabama history took just one snap past halftime in the National Championship Game - to center the ball for a winning field goal gone wrong - but his team doesn't reach that game, and maybe doesn't win it in overtime, without him.

The next time someone paints Nick Saban's Process as a machine full of nameless, faceless, replaceable parts, point him to the film of Alabama 26, Georgia 23. Beyond the winning walk-off touchdown pass, notice the Crimson Tide player who didn't throw it or catch it but did everything in his remaining power to help make it happen.

This was live, raw footage of an instructional video in the making on how to be a good teammate and a great leader.

Who was the first person off the sideline to congratulate his own replacement, Tua Tagovailoa, after the backup's touchdown pass in the third quarter gave the Crimson Tide its first points, life and hope?

Jalen Hurts.

Who was the wise-beyond-his-years mentor making his presence felt in those sideline huddles with Tagovailoa and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll throughout the comeback, offering advice and encouragement?

Jalen Hurts.

Who was the former stoic smiling through postgame interviews on the sideline and in the locker room, showing more genuine, positive emotion after the one game in which he didn't star than before, during or after the many games in which he did?

Jalen Hurts.

There will be plenty of time to deconstruct the behind-the-scenes dynamic that had Alabama prepared to insert Tagovailoa in the Sugar Bowl semifinal, only to have Saban deem it unnecessary with his defense dominating Clemson.

There will be even more time to debate the quarterback depth chart going forward, and there will be a public debate. It's already been fueled by the irresponsible public comments from Lane Kiffin that Tagovailoa would've transferred had Saban stuck with Hurts and his speculation that Hurts could entertain that notion after getting subbed out.

Those should be private deliberations saved for a quiet time after the celebration, but it won't stop many of us from offering our own suggestions.

For the moment, while everyone deservedly celebrates Tagovailoa because he was more than ready for his close-up, don't forget to lift up Hurts as well. This could've been the worst 60 minutes of his otherwise charmed life. Instead, in a way that'll carry far beyond this night, it was his finest hour.