The annual Iron Bowl is always a big deal, no matter the circumstances. It’s a rivalry that’s always heated, always exciting, and always a must-watch. Whether the teams are ranked or not, it’s a game that lives up to the hype. And Alabama managed to get one over their foes Auburn in Saturday’s iteration to keep the Foy-ODK as well as bragging rights in-house. However, the Bama fans were perhaps still frustrated with their overall season and let their angst boil over on an unassuming Kristen Saban.

As the occasion demanded, Nick Saban’s daughter, alongside other members of her family, was in attendance in Tuscaloosa. For reasons inconspicuous, Bama fans took issue with Kristen’s demeanor at the game. They made their feelings known on social media under her IG post posing from the sidelines. Kristen Saban is not averse to some trolling. But it seems like the taunting escalated to an unprecedented level.

Kristen took to IG to say the following. “It’s really disappointing to see such hateful comments from a fan base I thought as friends/ family for the last 17 years over an outfit and the way I walk (I have had an Achilles injury/abnormality since birth) For my own sanity, I am stepping away from sharing anything football/family related. Thank God for retirement”.

Needless to say, the nature of the discourse is beyond absolving under any circumstances. Kristen comes from a lineage that has been part of the fabric of Alabama football. The success of the Crimson Tide is at least indirectly linked to her supporting her dad on his escapades. It would be safe to assume the perpetrators are not true to their Alabama persuasion. Casuals cropping up to watch the Iron Bowl and indulging in throw-away social media commentary is a tangible trail of thought.

Public-facing figures taking time off social media amidst trolling and hate has unfortunately become a norm. This is especially true in the sports realm, where tensions can boil over to take ugly forms. Just at this instant, LeBron James of all people is on a similar break, as he announced via X. Although the frequency and volume of hateful comments cannot be compared to Kristen Saban, one or two that figuratively pierce through the screen are plenty.

Social media hate piles more sorrow on Kristen’s recent tragedy

It’s been a difficult few days for Kristen Saban. In the lead-up to this lamentable situation, tragedy struck her in the form of losing a loved one. It is perhaps a culmination of these factors that have brought her to take off IG for her “own sanity”.

Kristen recently witnessed the passing away of her dog, Gunner. She acknowledged Gunner as her “first baby” who gave her “14 years of the most magical companionship.” Her fondness for dogs is apparent to most CFB fans. Apart from frequent posts involving them, she even lent some emotional support when broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit lost his popular dog Ben not long ago.

For someone as pure-hearted as Kristen seems, it is an even bigger travesty that she went through what she did after the Iron Bowl. Hopefully, time off social media serves here well. A spirited Kristen Saban accentuates activities surrounding the Tide, and fans wouldn’t want it any other way.