“Ton of Respect”: Jalen Hurts Pays Homage to ‘Retired’ Nick Saban Despite 2018 Snub

Alabama coach Nick Saban has finally announced his retirement after coaching the team and winning six championship titles. He spent 17 years as a head coach in Tuscaloosa. In the wake of his retirement, football fans nationwide got sentimental; even Jalen Hurts wasn’t far behind.

In a recent presser, the Eagles quarterback addressed Nick Saban’s retirement and had nothing but words of admiration for him. Hurts briefly played with Coach Saban before he moved on to Oklahoma, where he became a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. It’s only fitting that he paid his respects to one of the greatest coaches in college football history.

Jalen Hurts praises Nick Saban

The presser had been taxing for Hurts because of the questions about the wildcard game against the Bucs. But the conversation got a little lighthearted when a reporter reminded Hurts of his college days. The QB was asked whether he was surprised about Saban retiring. He was also asked about Saban’s contribution to his success. It is safe to say that Hurts holds the coach in high regard.

He replied to the reporter, “Obviously, I think a sad day in the game of football, just knowing how much he’s been to the game,” and added, “It’s surreal. I know for me personally he’s always been coaching ever since I’ve been alive, and growing up and knowing what he’s been, and then knowing why I committed to go to that university because of the man he was and the intentions he had and the way he went about his business and his process, so I have a ton of respect for him.”

He highlighted how instrumental Saban had been in his success and said that the coach would do “anything to help his team.” During his time in Alabama, Saban forced Jalen Hurts to do something that made him a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. The coach was harsh to him in a good way, a way that got the quarterback a $255 million deal with the Eagles.

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The lore of Jalen Hurts

Hurts played with the Alabama Crimson Tide football team for about two years and was a well-known QB then. The Eagles QB led his Alabama college team to two SEC Championship games and two national championship games. However, in a 2018 game, Jalen Hurts was pulled to the sideline at halftime, and Tua Tagovailoa was given a chance in his place. Tagovailoa would do his best to win the game against Georgia and etch his name as the QB1 for the team.

Hurts was made a secondary, but Saban kept him from losing his confidence and told him what he needed to succeed in the NFL someday. “I had a meeting with him and said, ‘If you want to play in the NFL someday, you have a great opportunity every day in practice to improve as a passer. To improve your reading — reading the coverages, reading the defense, better anticipation,’ mentioned a Crimson Tide article.

Hurts improved, his completion rate went up by 10%, and with this zeal, he moved on to Oklahoma, where he brought the 2018 CFP trophy home to Oklahoma. The Philadelphia Eagles later drafted him in the 2020 second-round draft pick for a 5-year $255 million contract.

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