CHARLOTTE — Jalen Milroe recalled his first meeting with Bryce Young at the University of Alabama in January 2022. Milroe, then a new member of the Crimson Tide and only two days into his college career, described how Young, fresh off a National Championship, sought him out in the player cafeteria.
“That’s the thing, they’re coming off the national championship, right?” said Milroe last Monday night during Super Bowl opening night. He remembered being an 18-year-old meeting Young for the first time and not knowing that Young would become his mentor through college and into their professional careers.
Milroe spoke about their relationship in the quarterback room at Alabama: “You would think like there’s a lot of tension in the quarterback room because only one of us is on the field, and it’s not like that everywhere,” he said. “Everywhere, they have different cultures in the room. (But) when I was in the room with Bryce, that was my brother.”
He added: “Some people hate, when they’re not playing to get their way, but not with my guy…So when he was on the field, I’m screaming for him. If you look at every touchdown he had, we had a celebration every time he scored. We did a Euro step and followed through.”
Milroe also referenced a well-known video showing Young celebrating after a touchdown before quickly shifting focus to talk with coach Nick Saban. “That was me and him,” Milroe said. “I mean, we did that every single game.”
He emphasized Young’s approach as a teammate: “Your quarterback has to be the most locked-in guy on the team, and it’s key with the success rate at quarterback, you’ve got to have that loose focus mentality,” Milroe explained. “He has that.”
Milroe noted differences among quarterbacks: “Not every quarterback is the same; we’re all different, and so that happens to be Bryce,” he said. “He’s special and unique.
“That’s my guy to this day…He’s a great dude. He loves football. He loves everything about it. This is a guy who loves being around his teammates. He’s going to do everything he can to be successful.”
Both players waited for opportunities behind starting quarterbacks rather than transferring schools—something less common in today’s college football landscape.
“No, it’s unique. It’s unique because the landscape of college football is soft, and they don’t know what the mindset of grit and determination was that was there before, and it’s so easy to, when you don’t get your way, to go somewhere else and not be grounded,” Milroe said.
“And so to be able to stay grounded, for guys that do that, I tip my cap off to them.”
Reflecting on Young’s transition into professional football with Carolina after 2023’s challenges: “That’s something that deserves so much credit,” Milroe stated. “It’s so easy to give up. It’s so easy to frown upon your journey and get discouraged, but the more grounded you are, it shows a respect factor in so many people’s eyes.
“So for him…see where his team went…and they won their division. They’re steadily climbing…and so I’m so happy for him.”
Bryce Young led Carolina to its first NFC South title since 2015 by posting a 63.6 percent completion rate along with 3,011 passing yards; he recorded 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions with an 87.8 quarterback rating while rushing for two scores.
The Carolina Panthers have achieved multiple division titles—including recent successes such as playoff appearances—and play home games in downtown Charlotte as part of their presence throughout North and South Carolina (official website). The franchise formed in 1995 as an NFL expansion team representing both Carolinas (official website).
Milroe finished his rookie season backing up Sam Darnold and Drew Lock while Seattle developed him as part of its roster; however, he continues following Young’s career closely.
“It was so good to see him earlier in the season. We traded jerseys…it was awesome…awesome to be around him,” said Milroe about reconnecting during their rookie seasons in separate cities.
“Although I’m not with him every day like I was…and we’re on a different team…I’m still rooting for him…No matter what team I’m on…I’m going to root for him…and I’m passionate behind Bryce…I’m always going to be passionate about Bryce.
“I love that guy to this day…because our relationship we built in college…and so no matter what…no matter what team he’s on…no matter what the journey looks like…I’m going to have his back.”