Tua Tagovailoa and the serious injury to the Miami Dolphins quarterback on Thursday has drawn plenty of reactions around the NFL, including from the New York Giants head coach.

Brian Daboll was Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2017, so he had a close relationship with Tagovailoa when he was the Alabama quarterback. On Friday, Daboll spoke about Tagovailoa at a press conference.

“He means a lot to me. Special kid, great family. It was tough,” Daboll said, and added that he has not yet reached out to Tagovailoa, but he will. “I think it’s respect for him, his family, their space.”

Daboll said he doesn’t think of the players as players, and explained that, “they’re not too off from my kids.”

“Any time a guy gets hurt, I saw it, prayers for him, his family and the people around him,” Daboll said.

Daboll in 2017 coordinated an Alabama offense that finished No. 15 in the country in scoring offense, and No. 29 in total offense en route to the College Football Playoff national championship.