BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

Roy Kramer, the creator of the SEC Championship, died at the age of 96, leaving a significant impact on college sports.

The first SEC Championship game was held at Legion Field in 1992, during a time when the college football world was nervous about the potential consequences of such a game.

Antonio Langham, who played for the undefeated Alabama team against Florida in that first conference championship, recalled how the team felt toward Kramer.

"We didn't see the bigger picture of what he was probably seeing," Langham said in 2021. "All we knew that if we lose to this 9-3 Florida team, it's gonna be rough on you. You might not be the commissioner by the time Bama fans get through with you."

Fans were anxious when the game was tied with about three minutes left, but

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