Want college football this fall? Then do your part, Coach Saban advises in new PSA
It’s third and inches.
The goal is in sight and in his pragmatic, hard-driving way, Alabama coach Nick Saban knows it. Risky calls aren’t going to work this time — it’s going to be basic common sense that takes it all.
Only, this isn’t a football game. It’s life. And Saban is taking that all-too-familiar leadership style of his and aiming it at folks away from the football field. The style that has helped him lead the Crimson Tide to five national championships.
College football feels close, but is still a touch out of reach thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Saban wants to make sure you’re doing your part to make sure the season kicks off come fall in a new public service announcement.
In the video, Saban scolds Crimson Tide mascot Big Al for not wearing a mask and not practicing social distancing (allow us to ignore the fact that Saban and Alabama director of sports medicine Jeff Allen walked in the room inches from each other) in the PSA.
“Al of us want to makes sure we play football this fall, and to make that happen, we must be sure we stay at home if we have symptoms, wash your hands often, follow social distancing guidelines and please wear a mask any time you’re around other people,” Saban says while wearing an Alabama face mask.
There’s a lot at stake for college sports. On Friday, SEC presidents will vote whether to allow athletes back on campus starting June 1 for voluntary workouts, or if they’re going to push back the date due to the coronavirus, ESPN reports.
“At some point prior to May 31, we’re going to have to make a decision,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told ESPN. “You’ve seen information comes out when decisions are made, as opposed to prospecting about what may or may not happen. I think that those who suggest that this particular date or that particular date miss that we’re meeting regularly with our membership to make decisions.”
Presidents could vote to have a phasing-in period for college athletes and/or assess them before they begin workouts.
Saban also appeared in a PSA in March where he encouraged hand washing and social distancing. The video was his first public comments since the cancellation of Alabama’s spring game and spring practices, according to AL.com.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Want college football this fall? Then do your part, Coach Saban advises in new PSA."