The 2019 National Championship game between Alabama and Clemson will kick off on Monday night from Levi's Stadium — the home of the San Francisco 49ers. One Alabama star took a shot at the home team on Saturday when he shared that he didn't have much love for the 49ers.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was born in 1998 and grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan. That was well after the peak of the once-heated rivalry. Although, both teams' fans can still appreciate a victory over the other.
"I grew up as a Cowboys fan," Tagovailoa said. "Yeah, I'm a Dallas fan."
Tagovailoa, who grew up in Hawaii and has family in California, was reminded about the Cowboys-49ers rivalry, which used to be a bigger deal.
"Exactly," Tagovailoa responded. "I don't like the Niners as much."
Tua Tagovailoa re-sparks the 49ers-Cowboys rivalry #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/8IARXoJqAn
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) January 5, 2019
The last 49ers victory over the Cowboys came in 2014 when San Francisco won 28-17 at AT&T Stadium. The two teams have met twice since then (2016, 2017). Both matchups took place at Levi's Stadium with the Cowboys coming out on top in each game.
Tagovailoa, a sophomore, will try to lead the Crimson Tide to their second straight national title and third in four years. He passed for 3,671 yards with 41 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions this season. Tagovailoa won the Walter Camp Award and Maxwell Award for 2018, both of which are awarded to the top player in college football.