Photo by Maxxum
After Making an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Nick Saban responded to some harsh criticisms he received from one of his former players last week.
While speaking at the 2015 SEC Media Days in Hoover, AL, Saban responded to a question about preparation for the playoff and if underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft had an affect on it or not. Saban admitted that all the way up until the SEC Championship game, his players had great chemistry and were playing great together as a whole, however; from that point on until the game against Ohio State, “something happened.”
He went on to infer that underclassmen were distracted by the feedback they receive from the NFL Draft Advisory Committee for bowl game preparation. However, former Michigan State wide receiver Plaxico Burress didn’t take too kindly to his former coach’s words and took to Twitter to express his sentiments.
I recall Nick Saban telling me to stay in school finish what I started, I wasnt 1st round pick and he left for LSU b4 the season was over
— Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) July 15, 2015
Now Nick Saban goes on tv saying that kids are distracted by NFL projections. Well, the kids are just chasing a dream that you were. $$$
— Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) July 15, 2015
N Saban looked his players in the face at the Duf, said he wasnt leavin, I'm committed to the program" and was gone the next day. Tru story
— Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) July 15, 2015
Now Nick Saban players are being distracted by the NFL and chasing a dream, haha tell your story Nick. LSU showed you $$, you was GONE! Ha
— Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) July 15, 2015
Burress appeared to be addressing the hypocrisy that exists when coaches expect players to be loyal to them while recruiting and then jump ship as soon as another opportunity arises. To his credit, Burress did not throw a brick and hide his hand so to speak as he has kept the tweets up on his page.
While Saban is not known to be a social media parasite, he does use his platform through traditional media to set records straight and address topics that involve him. While prompted about this issue by First Take’s Skip Bayless, Saban didn’t take the bait but yet responded by saying this,
“Plaxico Burress was a great player for us. He was a fantastic player. He had a great career. He made the right decision to go out for the draft. He was a first-round draft pick. He had a great career as a pro player. I’m proud of what Plaxico Burress has been able to accomplish.
“I’ve never knowingly told a player any information that I get, I get from somebody else. And I can’t even remember the conversation. I actually left Michigan State right after the Penn State game. I didn’t stay for the bowl game when I went to LSU and that was Plax’s senior year. We’re proud of what he’s been able to do and we’re happy to see him have as much success as he’s had.”
It’s clear Saban didn’t want to get into a war of words and a he said/she said cat fight with his former player. While Burress felt compelled to expose his former coach almost 20 years later, his 15 minutes of Twitter fame was about all the relevancy Saban allowed him to have and hopefully the two can squash this privately.
Saban is no stranger to having his words scrutinized and receiving his share of criticism as he is constantly under a microscope being he’s widely considered the most powerful man in collegiate athletics.
While Burress was able to get on his soapbox, Saban effectively brushed off Burress’ statements like lint. Hopefully Burress and others learn a valuable lesson and remember this: it’s nothing to a boss.
Brandon Williams is an Editor and Columnist for Touchdown Alabama. You can follow him on Twitter, @TFRdotNet, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
