Nick Saban, the ever-quintessential Tularosa coach, was on the phone with his local friend Rumsey just a few days after Alabama toppled LSU to win the 2012 national championship. Rumsey, the football ordinary, didn’t pick up the significance of the success but felt a moral need to congratulate. But when he did, all he could get as a response id a grumpy voice shouting ”That damn game cos trying to flip t me a week of recruiting.’‘ Well, it was just Saban unloading his frustration at seeing a coach try to flip one of his recruits in the living room. That’s Nick Saban for you. The hot-headed, straight-faced sportsaholic. If you ever imagine how the 72-year-old veteran could look like when he smiles (if ever), congrats, this is a big day for you.

Nick Saban is not just concerned about the busy weekend featuring a big Georgia-Texas win, rather the former Alabama GOAT seems to be unwinding a little in a rare F1 moment. Yes, you heard it right. That stoic, poker-faced, legendary coach, was elsewhere on the earth, busy living his weekend a bit differently with Sunday’s United States Grand Prix in the Formula 1 Championship season watch alongside his Gameday cast and crew. But wait, there’s more to the surprise. He was not just a visitor. He tried his hands for a lap inside the track with the Mercedes-Benz AMG.

When he got back to the starting grid, a big smile flashed on his face, clearly showcasing the fun he had had in the experimental ride on the Formula 1 racetrack. No need to say to any classic Alabama fan how un-Saban-like the whole clip was. But the serenity and delight that comes with it is of no match at all. It might get the netizens talking, but they are certainly thrilled (either in their comments or in their thoughts) to explore another side of the typical solemn football mogul.

Fans were flabbergasted seeing a smiling Nick Saban 

Saban has been a trailblazer in Alabama’s journey to the helm of success in his decade-long tenure with the Tide. The standard he set is so high that it takes Kalen DeBoer a lot of courage to step up and get in his shoes after a sudden retirement announcement from the 72-year-old left the Bama regents in the dark. Saban, in all senses and logic, has been truly dedicated to his career and the overall team’s growth, but when it comes to his personality, there are very few people who pass by not fearing his man for a moment. The unsmiling, unsparing, unphased coach has another side. What could be more worth melting for? Well, it’s a smile rather ”One of the bigger smiles I’ve seen from him’‘ as a fan tells of. Another smart mind waved at the Twitter crowd, saying, ”He’s earned the right to drive himself.”

The scenario is as soothing as it’s strange (for the fans are not accustomed to seeing it on a regular business day), just like Saban’s trajectory as a coach, the most successful yet the most polarising in the room. Spotting the uncanny vibe of the clip, another fan commented,  ”I think that’s the 1st time I’ve seen him smile. Weird.” The rally of the fans being off-guard continues with another one exclaiming, ”Bros just doing side quests.”.

What’s your take on fans going gaga over Nick Saban’s relaxed hot lap on the F1 race track? Let us know in the comments.