Jalen Hurts Never Forgot Nick Saban, and His Latest Gesture Shows Why Alabama Will Always Be Home

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Some players come through the University of Alabama football program, win championships, break records, and eventually move on to the next chapter of their careers. Their names are remembered, their accomplishments are celebrated, and their highlights become part of Alabama football history. But every once in a while, a player comes along whose impact on a program goes far beyond what happens between the white lines.

For me, Jalen Hurts will always be one of those players.

There have been plenty of incredibly talented quarterbacks to wear the Crimson Tide uniform over the years, but I genuinely believe Hurts has one of the most remarkable stories in Alabama football history.

Not simply because of the games he won or the championships he helped bring to Tuscaloosa, but because of the way he handled adversity, carried himself when things didn't go his way, and continued to demonstrate the kind of character that Nick Saban spent his career trying to develop in his players.

And this week, Hurts reminded Alabama fans once again why his legacy in Tuscaloosa will always be about so much more than football.

On Thursday night, October 8, the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa hosted the premiere of ESPN's six-part documentary series, Saban, chronicling the extraordinary career and life of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Former players, coaches, family members, and countless individuals who played a role in Saban's remarkable journey gathered to celebrate the man who transformed Alabama football and impacted so many lives along the way.

Although Hurts was not in attendance, he made sure his former head coach and Miss Terry knew just how much they meant to him. Hurts had a beautiful arrangement of white flowers delivered to the Sabans' home in Tuscaloosa, accompanied by a personal handwritten-style message expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to be part of Saban's journey. Miss Terry shared the thoughtful gesture with those in attendance and read Hurts' message aloud.

The note began with words that perfectly captured the relationship between the former quarterback and his coach:

"Coach Saban, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your story."

Hurts went on to reflect on receiving that recruiting phone call in 2015, the journey that followed, and the impact of Saban's leadership before congratulating him and Miss Terry on the documentary premiere.

I don't know about you, but that is the kind of story that makes me love college football even more. Because think about what those flowers represented.

This wasn't about a championship ring, an NFL contract, a Heisman Trophy campaign, or another football accomplishment. It was about a former player taking the time to acknowledge someone who played an important role in shaping the man he became.

It was about gratitude, respect, loyalty, and a relationship that extended far beyond a football field. And if you have followed Hurts' journey from his freshman season at Alabama to his success in the NFL, you know just how meaningful that gesture truly was.

Hurts arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2016 as a talented young quarterback from Texas with tremendous expectations surrounding him. It didn't take long for him to establish himself as one of the most exciting young players in college football. As a true freshman, Hurts took over the starting quarterback position, helped lead Alabama to an SEC championship and a national championship appearance, and quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in college football.

He wasn't necessarily the most polished passer at that point in his career, but he was a competitor. He possessed tremendous athletic ability, confidence, and a calmness that was remarkable for someone his age.

More importantly, he seemed to understand the responsibility that came with being the starting quarterback at Alabama.

Over his first two seasons, Hurts compiled a 26-2 record as Alabama's starting quarterback. He won games, delivered memorable performances, and helped maintain the championship standard that had become synonymous with Saban's program.

But as impressive as those accomplishments were, I would argue that the most important chapter of Hurts' Alabama career began when he was no longer the starting quarterback.

During the 2017 national championship game against Georgia, Saban made one of the boldest decisions of his coaching career. With Alabama trailing at halftime, he replaced Hurts with freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

We all know how that story ended.

Tagovailoa delivered one of the most memorable performances in Alabama football history, leading the Crimson Tide to an overtime victory and another national championship. The game-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith on second-and-26 remains one of the most iconic moments in college football history.

But while the rest of the college football world celebrated Tagovailoa's heroics, Hurts was suddenly facing a situation that very few young athletes could ever fully prepare themselves for.

He had helped lead his team to the national championship game, only to watch another quarterback come off the bench and finish the job.

Imagine being in his position.

Imagine spending countless hours preparing, practicing, studying film, and doing everything your coaches asked of you, only to have your role change on the biggest stage in college football.

Imagine being a young athlete who had experienced tremendous success, only to suddenly find yourself facing questions about your future, your abilities, and your place on the team.

Hurts had every opportunity to become bitter. He could have complained publicly, created distractions, blamed his coaches, or immediately decided that he wanted nothing more to do with Alabama.

Instead, he stayed.

And I will always believe that decision revealed more about his character than any touchdown he ever scored.

Hurts returned for the 2018 season knowing that Tagovailoa had become Alabama's starting quarterback. Rather than allowing disappointment to dictate his attitude, he continued working, supported his teammates, and prepared himself for whatever opportunity might come his way.

That kind of humility and discipline is easy to talk about when everything is going your way. It becomes much harder when you're the one standing on the sideline watching someone else do the job you once held.

But Hurts continued to demonstrate what it meant to put the team above himself.

And then came December 1, 2018.

Alabama was facing Georgia in the SEC Championship Game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide found itself in another difficult battle against the Bulldogs, and when Tagovailoa suffered an injury, Hurts was called upon to lead the offense.

The circumstances almost seemed too remarkable to be real.

Less than a year earlier, Hurts had been replaced by Tagovailoa against Georgia in that same stadium. Now, with another championship hanging in the balance, Alabama needed the quarterback who had spent the season preparing quietly behind the scenes.

And he was ready.

Hurts stepped onto the field and delivered one of the most unforgettable redemption performances in Alabama football history, helping lead the Crimson Tide to a 35-28 victory and another SEC championship.

I can still remember the emotion surrounding that moment.

It wasn't simply about Alabama winning another football game. It was about watching a young man who had faced public disappointment, criticism, and uncertainty refuse to allow those circumstances to define him.

He didn't spend the season demanding recognition or insisting that he deserved another opportunity. He worked, remained prepared, and made the most of the moment when it finally arrived.

That is leadership.

That is maturity.

And that is exactly the kind of mentality Nick Saban spent 17 seasons trying to instill in his players at Alabama.

Following that victory, Saban became visibly emotional while discussing Hurts and what he had accomplished. For a coach who was often known for his demanding personality and relentless pursuit of excellence, it was a rare glimpse into just how deeply he cared about the young men he coached.

What made the moment so special was that Saban understood the challenges Hurts had experienced. He understood the disappointment, the work that happened when cameras weren't rolling, and the commitment it took to remain ready despite not knowing whether another opportunity would ever come.

And years later, it is evident that those experiences helped create a relationship built on genuine mutual respect.

Even at Thursday night's documentary premiere, Saban reflected on the way Hurts handled that difficult situation, praising his character, competitiveness, and commitment to being a good teammate. He emphasized that Hurts' response deserved far more recognition than it received.

I couldn't agree more.

In today's college football environment, where transferring has become increasingly common and players have more opportunities than ever to pursue different situations, Hurts' decision to remain at Alabama for that 2018 season stands out.

And I want to be clear about something: I don't believe transferring automatically means a player lacks loyalty or character. Every athlete has unique circumstances, and sometimes a change is the right decision for their future.

Hurts eventually made that decision himself, transferring to Oklahoma for his final college season in 2019.

He went on to have an outstanding season with the Sooners, became a Heisman Trophy finalist, and continued developing into the quarterback who would eventually succeed in the NFL. Oklahoma played an important role in his story, and that deserves to be acknowledged.

But the fact that he finished his college career somewhere else doesn't erase what he accomplished at Alabama or the relationships he built in Tuscaloosa. He can appreciate his time at Oklahoma while still being an Alabama legend. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

Alabama helped shape Hurts, and Hurts helped shape Alabama football during one of the most successful stretches in program history. That's something no transfer decision can ever take away.

His professional success has made that story even more remarkable. Hurts developed into the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, led the franchise to multiple Super Bowl appearances, and ultimately captured a Super Bowl championship while earning Super Bowl MVP honors.

For someone who once faced questions about whether he could develop into an elite quarterback, his journey has become an extraordinary example of perseverance and continued growth.

Yet what I appreciate most is that the success doesn't appear to have caused him to forget the people who helped him along the way.

He could have simply watched the documentary, sent a congratulatory text, or acknowledged the premiere on social media. Instead, he took the time to send a thoughtful gift and a personal message to the man who gave him an opportunity nearly a decade earlier.

There wasn't a camera crew following him to the florist. There wasn't a press conference announcing the gesture. In fact, had Miss Terry not shared the story, the public might never have known about it.

And to me, that's what makes it so meaningful.

It wasn't a gesture that needed an audience. It was simply a former player expressing gratitude.

One of the things I have always appreciated about Saban's coaching philosophy was his emphasis on developing players beyond football. Yes, he demanded excellence. Yes, he expected discipline, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the process. But he also consistently talked about preparing young men for life after their playing careers ended.

When we look back at Saban's time at Alabama, it's easy to focus on the national championships, SEC titles, NFL Draft selections, and incredible winning percentage.

Those accomplishments are remarkable, and they deserve to be celebrated. But I believe one of the greatest measures of his legacy is found in the lives of the individuals he influenced.

It's found in the former players who return to Tuscaloosa years after their careers have ended. It's found in the relationships that continue long after the final whistle. And it's found in moments like this one, when a Super Bowl-winning quarterback takes a few minutes out of his life to remind his former coach how much his leadership meant to him.

That's the part of college football that I wish we talked about more.

The relationships.

The personal growth.

The difficult conversations.

The lessons that don't always show up on a stat sheet but influence the direction of someone's life.

I think there's also an important lesson in Hurts' journey for anyone who has experienced disappointment or watched something they worked incredibly hard for unfold differently than they imagined.

Sometimes adversity reveals parts of our character that success never could. Sometimes the greatest growth happens during seasons when we feel overlooked, disappointed, or uncertain about what comes next. And sometimes the very circumstances we would have never chosen become part of the story we are most grateful for years later.

That's what makes Hurts' journey so powerful.

His story didn't unfold the way he probably envisioned when he first arrived in Tuscaloosa. There were incredible victories, difficult setbacks, unexpected changes, and moments when his future was uncertain. But looking back now, it's hard to imagine his story being quite as meaningful without those challenges.

The same young man who was benched during a national championship game eventually became the quarterback who helped Alabama win an SEC championship, earned a fresh opportunity at Oklahoma, and went on to reach the pinnacle of professional football.

And through it all, he never forgot where an important part of that journey began.

When Hurts sent those flowers to Nick and Miss Terry Saban, he wasn't simply congratulating a legendary coach on a documentary premiere. He was acknowledging the relationship, lessons, and experiences that helped shape his life.

For Alabama fans, it was another reminder of why Hurts will always hold such a special place in Crimson Tide history.

Not because he never faced adversity, but because of the way he responded when adversity came. Not because his journey was perfect, but because he refused to let difficult moments prevent him from continuing to grow. And certainly not just because of the football games he won, but because of the character he displayed when winning wasn't guaranteed.

Nick Saban's legacy will always include championships, records, and some of the greatest teams college football has ever seen. But his influence on players like Hurts may ultimately be one of the most meaningful parts of his story.

And Hurts' legacy at Alabama will always be about more than the numbers he put up or the trophies he helped win.

It will be about perseverance, humility, loyalty, and what it looks like to handle both success and disappointment with maturity.

So yes, Oklahoma fans can celebrate what Hurts accomplished in Norman. Philadelphia Eagles fans can celebrate everything he has achieved in the NFL. But Alabama fans will always have a special reason to celebrate Jalen Hurts.

Because long before he was a Super Bowl MVP, he was a young quarterback in Tuscaloosa learning how to lead, how to respond to adversity, and how to keep moving forward when life didn't go according to plan. And nearly a decade after that journey began, a beautiful arrangement of flowers and a heartfelt message reminded us all that those lessons were never forgotten.

Jalen Hurts will forever be part of Alabama football history.

But more importantly, he will forever be part of Nick Saban's legacy. And I think that's something worth celebrating.

Roll Tide.

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