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Nick Saban explains why he was overcome with emotion about Jalen Hurts after the SEC Championship Game
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Alabama QB Jalen Hurts had a storybook moment on Saturday night, coming in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa and leading the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind win over Georgia in the SEC title game.
Obviously, Hurts would have liked for Tagovailoa to stay healthy, but it was still a great moment that validated his decision to stay in Tuscaloosa this year.
When the Alabama Crimson Tide were announced as the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff on Sunday, coach Nick Saban was interviewed by ESPN. He explained why he got so emotional postgame following Hurts’s incredible effort:
“It’s really sort of unprecedented in college football for a guy to go and win 26 games and then not have his job anymore,” he said. “He’s done so much for this program. I think he’s handled things with such high character and class in the way he’s supported his teammates this year. It was great to see him get an opportunity, even though Tua’s been one of the best players in college football all year long. It was great to see Jalen take advantage of the moment and he did a fabulous job when he got the opportunity to get in there the last few drives.”
Hurts is already a legend in Tuscaloosa, but this moment was one for the ages.
What role will he have in the Playoff? Only time will tell.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
