Saban: ‘So many’ players in NFL he can’t talk to each one
The first meeting between former Alabama quarterbacks in the NFL in 38 years will air Sunday afternoon on televisions across most of the state.
But the Patriots’ Mac Jones and the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa are just two of 70 former Tide players who will be on NFL rosters — although not necessarily play — when that league opens its season this weekend.
Coach Saban congratulated those 70 players in the opening statement of his Wednesday evening news conference.
But in response to a question about whether he would reach out to Jones and Tagovailoa specifically, the Alabama coach admitted the number is simply too large
for him to offer personal well wishes.
“I usually am focused on what our team is doing,” he said. “I think we text all 70 players in the NFL and let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we wish them good luck.
“But we have so many players in the NFL, I can’t — I don’t really reach out individually.”
Saban did say the program sends its pro players a “good luck thing” and he
receives reports about how they performed each week.
“We’re always watching and we’re always hopeful they do well,” he said. “Sunday is a big work day for us so we don’t get to see the players play that much. Certainly wish I could. But we have a team here, and I think the players all respect the fact that they have a lot of pride in Alabama.
“I was in the NFL and I know how much trash gets talked on Saturday night about whose (college) team did what. So I know those guys want our team to do well, too. I think they know that I’m pretty much committed to that.”
Saban noted Alabama had “10, 12, 15” guys on the sideline of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Saturday’s win over Miami. That included now-Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Landon Dickerson, who was seen handing out towels to offensive linemen as they came off the field against the Hurricanes.
Honorary captain DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Henry Ruggs, Patrick Surtain, Raekwon Davis, Reggie Ragland and Kenyan Drake were among the others watching the game from behind the Alabama bench.
“We love it when our guys come back,” he said.