As the Crimson Tide fought for a national title Monday night, a handful of people sat in their cars in the middle of an empty parking lot in Tuscaloosa.

The football fans, listening to the game on the radio in front of Academy Sports and Outdoors, were waiting for the remote chance that Alabama would beat the Georgia Bulldogs in the national championship. If the Tide pulled through, the store would open its doors, as well as boxes full of national championship merchandise.

James McDaniel stood in front of the store watching the game on his phone as the game went into overtime. He was one of a couple of people standing outside the door.

As McDaniel and others watched the game on their phones, Ricky Howard jumped out of his truck and ran toward the door. Listening on the radio, Howard had heard the end of the game before the video broadcast.

“Touchdown!” Howard yelled. “Alabama, it’s on.”

Realizing what had happened, McDaniel gave Howard a high-five, cheering as Alabama beat Georgia 26-23 to win its 17th national championship. The pair watched the game-winning play on McDaniel’s phone.

“I feel great,” Howard said.

Within minutes, more cars entered the parking lot. What was once just a few people standing outside the door became a line of hundreds of fans snaking from the front to the side entrance.

Before long, the wait outside Academy took on the feel of a tailgate party with people yelling “Roll Tide!” out their cars to the crowd and fans cheering and chanting in line.

In the midst of the excitement, Howard took the time to talk to his wife with a live video on Facebook.

“Honey, leave the door open,” he said. “It’s going to be a long night.”

McDaniel said he has supported the Tide in both good seasons and bad, and described Monday night’s game as incredible.

“I knew we could do it,” he said.

Alisha Louie brought her 13-year-old son, Jordan, to wait in line, a tradition she has done in years past after Tide championship wins.

“We love the Tide,” Louie said. “This is what it’s all about.”

As fans were bustling with excitement outside, Academy employees hurried to get T-shirts, hats and other merchandise laid out to buy.

“Are y'all ready with your big smiles?” one employee said to the group.

As the doors opened, Howard was the first to step into the store, clutching his fist in the air and with a big smile on his face.

“Roll Tide!” he said.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.