Every picture tells a story. This one tells two.
After a months-long, 50-state campaign, the readers of FootballScoop have found the 2015 Football Photo of the Year, continuing a long (if you consider two years long) tradition of honoring the best in photographic efforts in the game of football.
This year's winner, as chosen by me, goes to this photo of Alabama running back Kenyan Drake running away from Clemson safety Jayron Kearse in the College Football Playoff Championship.
Taken by Michael Chow for the Arizona Republic, the photo captures the exact moment Alabama won the national title and Clemson lost it. Near the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Clemson kicker Greg Huegel booted a 31-yard field goal, halting an Alabama run that saw the Tide turn a 24-21 deficit into a 31-24 lead, keyed by a brilliant onside kick. Hugel's field goal pulled Clemson within 31-27 with an eternity -- 7 minutes, 47 seconds -- to steal back the lead and the right person -- Deshaun Watson -- to do it.
All they needed to do was force Alabama off the field without scoring points, or at least without reaching the end zone.
And then Kenyan Drake caught Huegel's ensuing kickoff and raced it 95 yards to the end zone.
Chow's photo captures the exact moment Kearse realizes he won't catch Drake and Drake realizes he won't be caught. All while the Alabama sideline realizes the national championship is theirs.
Drake's return gave Alabama a 38-27 lead, just enough cushion to hold on for a 45-40 victory and a fourth national title in seven years. And, now, Chow has a championship of his own.