AJ McCarron’s sideline surprise: The ESPN moment that launched a supermodel’s career

(emmaneil5/IG, _katherinewebb/IG, collxab/IG, YHN)

Former Alabama Crimson Tide national championship-winning quarterback AJ McCarron made some huge headlines this week when he announced he would be running for lieutenant governor of the state of Alabama in 2026.

McCarron — who is a native of Mobile — had been toying with a run for political office, but now it becomes official as he tries to make the transition from the football field to the political field.

With his name back in the headlines as one of the most memorable and successful quarterbacks of the Nick Saban era, it had fans thinking back on some of the most unforgettable moments of his career in Tuscaloosa. And even though he won back-to-back championships as the starting QB in 2011 and 2012 before sniffing a three-peat in 2013, the most memorable moment may not have come on the field at all, but in the stands.

During the 2012 national title game against Notre Dame, McCarron’s girlfriend (now wife) Katherine Webb was shown on the broadcast, and commentator Brent Musburger couldn’t contain himself from commenting on her appearance in a complimentary fashion.

The moment — which occurred during the first quarter of an Alabama blowout win — created the perfect media firestorm that made Webb famous overnight, perhaps just as much as her future husband. The Musburger incident wound up launching a supermodel career.

Webb was everywhere for a while, even appearing in a Carl’s Jr and Hardees commercial in which she was eating a burger in the crowd.

Now, she may wind up back in the spotlight as McCarron goes up against Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, and commercial realtor Nicole Wadsworth in what should be a very heated race for the lieutenant governor’s position.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.