Everyone is weighing in on the Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher feud and NIL.
Coach Saban stated he and his staff have done things the “right way” with NIL. An ex-Florida State star seems to have a different opinion on the Alabama football program. Travis Johnson, a former defensive lineman for the Seminoles in the early 2000s, said the Crimson Tide has been paying for players since the 1980s. He continued with Alabama offered him “six figures” in 1999/00.
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Johnson ended with, “Y’all [Alabama] was NIL before NIL.”
Hahahhaha @mikerodak y’all been paying for players since the 80s offered me 6 figures in 99/00 and gave Albert Means and his coaches 6 figures during that time and now y’all swear y’all not paying anyone? Like the kids say, CAP! Y’all was NIL before NIL. https://t.co/wAlRtMMr0m
— Travis Johnson (@trapj99) May 19, 2022
Johnson was a first-team All-ACC selection as a senior at FSU. He totaled 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries. Johnson got selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He played six seasons in the National Football League between the Texans and San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers).
Nick Saban did not arrive in Tuscaloosa as Alabama’s head coach until 2007, so Johnson’s comment has nothing to do with him.
A lot has been made of NIL in nearly two days. Alabama and Texas A&M will be the biggest matchup of the college football season, but will anyone get a handle on NIL? It is a conversation that will continue into SEC Media Days in July.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
