WATCH: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama fulfill 10-year-old fan's dream with touchdown at practice before season opener

Prior to Saturday's Week 1 win over Western Kentucky , new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer put his stamp on the program off the field. DeBoer gave a young Alabama fan dealing with a rare genetic disorder the chance to have some fun with her favorite team.

According to ESPN's Chris Low , DeBoer invited 10-year-old Suzannah Earnest to the team's Friday walkthrough and introduced her to the team as part of the "Tide Teammates" initiative. It's a tradition DeBoer brought with him from Washington , and it's a way for the team to use its profile to uplift others.

"It's our way of lifting up a kid that maybe needs to be lifted up, doing our part to help them as they're going through cancer or anything else they may be fighting," DeBoer told Low. "I think we get more out of it than the kids. It's a reminder that it's a privilege to play this game."

Suzannah suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, which is a rare genetic condition, as well as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She has already faced immense challenges in life, but her visit to Alabama rejuvenated her spirits, along with the team's

Toward the end of the walkthrough, Suzannah got to run a play with the Crimson Tide. Although she was supposed to run the ball, she turned it into an RPO and let it fly. Alabama players got the ball back to her, and Suzannah found her way to the end zone.

Alabama carried those good feelings over into Saturday when they blew out Western Kentucky, 63-0, in the season opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium.