Deshaun Watson sent flying like a helicopter after a brutal Alabama hit

Published Jan. 10, 2017 1:55 a.m. ET

Zack Pierce

Deshaun Watson

Clemson was doing all it could to get back into the College Football Playoff championship game against Alabama on Monday night when Deshaun Watson got a first-hand reminder just how punishing the Tide defense can be.

Watson was scrambling on a 3rd-and-15 late in the third quarter and appeared to have daylight for a first down, but then Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster lined him up and sent him spinning through the air:

https://twitter.com/espn/status/818674427110027270

That's about a 540-degree spin off a hard shot to the chin. Ouch.

To add insult to injury, Watson landed shy of the first down marker and the Tigers had to punt. Alabama scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to go up 24-14.

Watson got the last laugh though. He and the Tigers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter — including a touchdown with one second to go to — to stun Alabama, 35-31, and win the national title.