It’s a true talent to unite a team within the lines of a football field, but it’s something else altogether to bring a group of young men together outside the game.
That’s what Alabama head coach Nick Saban helped do on Monday when his players organized a march to protest racial injustice within the country. Although Saban was at the front of the line and the first to speak outside Foster Auditorium at the conclusion of the march, he wanted to ensure the people that the reason this was happening is from listening to his athletes.
“This is what helped me grow in my role as a leader, to listen to the players, to learn from the players and give them opportunities to do things that could impact social change today,” said Saban. “Today I’m like a proud parent. I’m proud of our messengers over here and I’m very proud of the message.
“I’m very proud of the ‘All lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter’ video that we did early on that I think had a very positive impact. That was something we did together as a team. This is something that the team decided to do together as a team, so I’m very proud and supportive of what they are trying to say, and in a peaceful and intelligent way. I’m very pleased to be here.”
Senior running back Najee Harris was one of the players right up in front with Saban and one of the big orchestrators in putting the march together and also one of the biggest advocates of Saban as a players coach.
Back in August Harris raved about Saban’s willingness to listen to the team when it comes to issues of race, and how he was huge in making the team feel safe on campus with COVID-19 still spreading throughout the community.
“Coach Saban listens to his players and wants to hear from us first,” said Harris. “He told us that none of this is about him, but it’s about us. He wants to hear our concerns, and we made it clear that we want to play and feel like Alabama is doing everything they can to make sure we can play safely.”
More recently a number of players showed their appreciation towards Saban during their media viewing periods on Tuesday.
“Coach Saban was very supportive,” said senior offensive lineman Chris Owens. “This wasn’t something we made him do, this is something he wanted to do because he cares about his players.”
Former players like Mack Wilson also shared their appreciation of Saban leading the charge as well as letting future recruits know where to go if they want their thoughts to be valued.
One thing about it.. if I was a high school recruit I’ll chose Bama again! #ThatsMyHeadCoach ❤️✊🏾 https://t.co/zCt6xpJLb5
— Mack Wilson Sr. (@5mackwilson1) August 31, 2020
Monday proved that through all the yelling and angry gestures, at his core Saban is all about his players and wants looks to aid and support them in any way possible.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
