Jalen Milroe caused a major reaction during Alabama’s preparation for the Rose Bowl Game against Michigan.
He had a comment in media availability about how former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, said he should not be a quarterback. Some took the comment as O’Brien being the biggest naysayer for Milroe to L.A.N.K., however, others took it as Milroe possibly taking a shot at O’Brien. Milroe, a rising junior, was recently at a Tristar Production event in Houston, Texas.
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He had an opportunity to clear up what he said during bowl prep at that time.
Milroe was transparent in the moment, but he did appreciate all that O’Brien did for him.
#Alabama @AlabamaFTBL quarterback Jalen Milroe @JalenMilroe on his goals, playing for Nick Saban, transition to coach Kalen DeBoer, and his comments on Bill O’Brien @KPRC2 @TRISTAR1 @SEC pic.twitter.com/MxvJV462k6
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 3, 2024
“The biggest thing for me is I try to learn and grow as much as possible,” Milroe said. “I never dwell on any situation, but I use it as motivation. You have to acknowledge what are some things you have learned through your process. I learned a lot with Coach O’Brien being my offensive coordinator, with his knowledge of the game, with his time being a head coach in college and also in the NFL, so I don’t take that lightly being coached by him. But, everything is motivation. You try to use it as fuel for your journey.”
Milroe said his journey as a quarterback is not done.
“I do acknowledge what it took to be where I am at right now,” he said. “It’s hard work, and I do want to appreciate him [Coach O’Brien] for what he meant to me and my motivation.”
O’Brien has returned to college football as the offensive coordinator for Ohio State. He spent one season in the National Football League with his return to the New England Patriots in 2023. Things did not work out, so O’Brien is back in college football.
Milroe uses O’Brien as motivation, and we’ll see how motivated Milroe will be in the fall.
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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.
