The five-time college football national champion can’t pick sides.
As a common theme, Alabama football coach Nick Saban was bombarded by media personnel upon his arrival to Mobile, Ala., for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Though his primary goal is to watch Ryan Anderson, O.J. Howard, Dalvin Tomlinson and Cole Mazza, Saban would also entertain questions regarding the upcoming Super Bowl.
The 65-year-old has signed more than his share of top-ranked recruiting classes, including the 2008 group that has three standouts in Super Bowl 51: Julio Jones, Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.
Alabama’s 2012 class produced the fourth Tide player on the big stage, Cyrus Jones. When asked for his vote, Saban praised Julio Jones but also hopes good things for the New England Pariots and Bill Belichick.
Nick Saban can't take sides in the #SuperBowl.
Julio Jones is one of his all-time favorite players to have coached.#RiseUp #Patriots pic.twitter.com/mUPEDoHO2H
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) January 25, 2017
“Julio is a great player. He’s got great character and is a great competitor,” Saban said. “He’s probably one of my favorite guys that I’ve had the opportunity to coach because of how he impacted the game and his teammates.”
Saban continued with: “We’ve got some players on New England’s team and a coach that’s a good friend, so it’s kind of hard for me to pick sides. I just love to see our players do extremely well.”
After serving on Belichick’s staff for the Cleveland Browns (1991-94) and coaching all four players to Southeastern Conference championships and national titles, one can see why Saban made the statement.
Regardless of him not making a choice, the Vince Lombardi Trophy will reside with either the Atlanta Falcons or New England Patriots after the game on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
