One of Alabama's unsung heroes won a national award Thursday.

Jeff Allen was named Head Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers Association.

While not as big of a name as some other members of the Crimson Tide staff, Allen is beloved inside the Alabama program and has long been considered one of the best and most innovative athletic trainers in the country.

Allen has been at Alabama since 2007.

"People may laugh at me saying this, but I honestly think you can credit several wins and at least a large portion of credit towards a national title to Jeff and the training staff," one of the Tide's team doctors, Norman Waldrop, told AL.com last year. "I don't think we would have won as many games over the Saban era without Jeff and the training staff being as good as they are. I feel very firmly about that."

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.