The final name of a college football player chanted inside this iconic Georgia Dome was that of a person who didn't even play in the game.

That's how much Eddie Jackson, and the spirit of what he represents, means to this special Alabama football team and its fans. That's how much Eddie Jackson means to the sport of college football.

They chanted for Jackson -- "Edd-ie, Edd-ie, Edd-ie" -- before and after the Crimson Tide's 24-7 victory against Washington in the Peach Bowl's semifinal game of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. It was the final college football game scheduled to be played in the Georgia Dome, which will be demolished to make room for Atlanta's new dome.

A senior captain, Jackson broke his leg against Texas A&M in October and since then the All-American safety who returned to school for his final season rather than enter the NFL Draft has turned into an iconic figure for Alabama football. He has been an important source of inspiration for his teammates, and his influence as a positive leader is now an unmistakable part of this team.

The day before Saturday's national semifinal, Jackson's place in Alabama lore was elevated even higher.

On Friday, the South Florida native published an article in The Players' Tribune addressed to his teammates. Written beautifully, Jackson's words further motivated his teammates on the eve of the College Football Playoff. Entitled "To My Brothers," the first-person letter touched on everything that makes college football so special. An excerpt:

"When I found out my season was over, I couldn't stop crying. I think what made me the most upset was knowing that I'd have to miss out on all the fun we were going to have. Playing good football is hard work. It takes hours and hours of sweat and preparation. You have to push yourself to a level you didn't think was possible. But ultimately it's all worth it, because as everyone in this program knows, playing good football is -- more than anything else -- really, really fun."

If he wasn't already, Jackson is now the heart and soul of this Alabama football team heading into next week's national championship in Tampa, Fla. After Saturday's semifinal victory against Washington, players, boosters and coaches all showered Jackson with love and praise in quiet moments of reflection. Linebacker Tim Williams, another star defender who also returned for his senior year, summed up Jackson's role with heartfelt praise.

"The best leadership ever!" Williams screamed during one of Jackson's on-field interviews after the game. "We play this game for you, baby! Thank you for that article, baby! I love you! The greatest safety ever!"

Jackson was a second-team All-American as a junior and projected as a third- or fourth-round pick in last year's NFL Draft. Instead of leaving school early, he returned to Tuscaloosa because he said he still had things to learn and he wanted to earn his degree. Jackson finished his degree last semester, and he is the first in his family to graduate from college.

He learned just as much about himself on the field. Another inspirational passage from Jackson's letter to his teammates:

"I was such a different person when I first arrived in Tuscaloosa. I showed up here as a three-star wide receiver from Florida who hadn't played high school football until his senior year. At first, like a lot of freshmen, I was scared to death that I was out of my league. Yes, I had wanted to attend Alabama because it was Alabama, but I don't think I fully realized until I actually got here the sacrifices I'd have to make in order to play. I didn't just have to learn how to be a defensive back; I had to learn how to be a coachable human being."

Before Saturday's game, Alabama fans serenaded Eddie during the coin toss. Afterwards, fans lined the front row of the Georgia Dome and chanted Eddie's name as he walked off the field. The Peach Bowl wasn't unique in its praise for Jackson either. Fans have been chanting his name at every game since his injury.

"It feels good, man," Jackson said after the game. "We've got the best fans in the world, and I'm just so proud of these guys. The focus needs to be on these guys because the things they are accomplishing today are amazing."

Jackson has remained involved with the team since his injury. He helps break down film during the week and provides coaching during practice and games. He motivates players on the sidelines, and keeps his teammates focused. At this point, Jackson's presence on the sideline is more valuable to the team than most of Alabama's coaches.

And Saban loves him. Alabama's coach referenced Jackson's letter to his teammates multiple times during his postgame press conference:

"I think that one thing that I took from that article that some people don't realize, especially if you haven't played on a team, especially a football team, which is probably the greatest team game there is, because there's more participants -- that no matter what you search for in your life, no matter where you go, what you do...When you're in that huddle, there ain't nobody special," Saban said. "Everybody's together. Everybody has respect for each other, and everybody appreciates the job that everybody else does. And you can go a long way in doing a lot of things, and you may never find that. You may never find that. But you find it when you play football and you play together as a team.

"I think that article epitomized the defensive chemistry that we have and how important those guys are to each other and how they play well together."

In a bowl season dominated by news of players skipping games to avoid injury, it's a senior injured after returning to school who might have the most impact of all.

Joseph Goodman is a senior reporter and columnist for Alabama Media Group. He's on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.