Brother Nick

Dear Nick Saban,

I heard you have COVID. It was all my family talked about at supper tonight. You were our main topic.

I know that to heathens and various non-believers you are just another football coach. But in this house we prayed for you before our meal. The prayer was followed by a couple amens, a few hallelujahs, and six Roll Tides.

I also understand that the local beer joint said a few words for you tonight. They turned off the jukebox and had a moment of silence in your honor.

Grown men with double names quit shooting pool and ceased talking bull. Young men held hats over hearts. A guy in a camouflage shirt led a long prayer.

“Oh God, help Brother Nick,” he said.

That’s what they call you.

My friend, Willis, was there. He said some guy bought a round of beer for all 23 barroom patrons. Then the radio played “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones because this is one of your all-time favorite songs. Someone said you listen to it after every road game you win.

After this tune they played more classic Stones. “Start Me Up” was invoked. So was “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

My friend Joel is an even bigger fan. When he heard how sick you were he was an emotional wreck. Joel wants you to know that he would be happy to carry you to any hospital in the nation if you needed his services. He has a mostly dependable car, and he’s not busy.

Look, I know you don’t know me. I am nothing on your radar screen. I am infinitesimal vermin in the shadow of your radiant coaching career. I feel foolish even writing this stupid letter.

But you’re probably going to be on your back for a few days, going through the congestion of coronavirus, so I thought I’d tell you how much you mean to this family.

I especially wanted you to know how much you meant to my father-in-law.

As soon as you started coaching for Alabama my father-in-law was immediately willing to bear your children. Every weekend I would go to my father-in-law’s house to watch games and the old man spoke about you like you were already included in the family will.

He was a second father to me. I loved him something fierce. He was loud and outspoken. And if I’m being completely honest, we were never certain whether he was three tacos short of a blue plate special.

He was your most ardent convert. Whenever Coach Nick Saban lost his temper on camera, he lost his temper. Whenever Coach Saban scored, he leapt out of his recliner and tap-danced like Danny Kaye.

During critical third-down situations, he would turn up the volume so loud that shingles fell off the roof and neighborhood dogs started howling.

One time we were watching the Iron Bowl and my father-in-law completely lost his mind. When Greg McElroy threw a four-yard touchdown pass to fullback Roy Upchurch, thereby lifting Alabama to a 26–21 win, he jumped out of his seat and mooned me.

I’d never seen that side of him before. It was a pretty special day.

In his final years, he would become pretty emotional whenever your name came up. It was always Nick this, and Nick that. He was a man obsessed.

For Christmas one year the family presented him with an autographed photo of you. I don’t know how we managed to get it. But you should have seen him. He almost turned into a puddle of saltwater just looking at it. I’m sure you have thousands of those photos laying around, but to him it was one in a billion.

The next day, we found your picture hanging in his den, among photos of family members, ancestors, and grandbabies.

Not long before he died we went to visit him in the hospital. He was aged, sick, and his mind was going. He started hollering things like, “Oh, I’m SO worried about Nick!”

“Who are you worried about?” everyone asked.

“Nick!” he’d scream. “I’m worried! Someone pray for Nick!”

At first, we had no idea who the old man was talking about. Then we realized he must have been screaming about you. At which point everyone busted out laughing. Then we cried. Because we knew he didn’t have long after that.

The preacher told that story at his funeral The room was packed with hundreds who wore crimson.

When the preacher explained to everyone that an old man on his deathbed had not been worried about his own end, but was primarily concerned with the well-being of Nicholas Saban Jr., everyone shared a gentle laugh. And a few sniffles.

They buried the old man in his beloved red elephant hat.

Everything was different after that. We started watching Alabama games alone. Week after week, we would sit in relative solitude before a dim TV. His recliner was empty. The room remained quiet. Nobody could scream like he did. Rarely did anyone ever hurl a full moon.

But upon his old desk, we still have your framed photograph. It still reminds us of how happy you made him.

So anyway, you’re probably going to be going through a lot these next weeks. And you’ll likely never see this. But I want you to know we’re thinking about you.

I also wanted you to know how grateful I am. Not just for the games. Not just for your six consecutive National Championship titles, which cement you as one of the most preeminent football coaches in U.S. history. But I wanted to thank you for a small, unassuming eight-by-ten glossy photograph that bears your signature.

Get well, Brother Nick.

And, of course, it goes without saying. Roll Tide.

25 comments

  1. Sharon Lawson - October 15, 2020 6:59 am

    Your writing is like a breath of fresh air on a sunny fall day. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Liz and Mac Petty, Ramstein, Germany - October 15, 2020 7:06 am

    ROLL TIDE ROLL and please God, save Nick Saban!!

    Reply
  3. Darrell Dame - October 15, 2020 9:16 am

    You always touch some chords. Stay safe

    Reply
  4. Penn Wells - October 15, 2020 11:25 am

    This is all part of a well-organized conspiracy to my beloved Dawgs off the scent. Plus, we don’t want to beat a Saban-less Tide. No whining. Get well, Nick. Go Dawgs.

    Reply
  5. Sue Rhodus - October 15, 2020 11:33 am

    Love it !! I live in the great state of Kentucky..where blood runs blue..and so does mine in basketball season..but bring the autumn leaves and football and for me it is ROLL TIDE !!! I jokingly say that Nick is going to be my next husband. A girl can dream !! Get well Brother Nick !

    Reply
  6. Jan - October 15, 2020 11:39 am

    Get well Nick. WAR EAGLE!!!

    Reply
  7. Lynn - October 15, 2020 12:56 pm

    Best wishes to Mr. Saban for a speedy recovery.
    War Eagle!
    Sincerely,
    A Proud Auburn Mom

    Reply
  8. Johnnie Blackburn - October 15, 2020 1:17 pm

    The only appropriate response here is, Amen.

    Reply
  9. Patricia Gibson - October 15, 2020 1:34 pm

    Amen

    Reply
  10. Becca - October 15, 2020 1:47 pm

    AMEN!

    Reply
  11. Dianne DeVore - October 15, 2020 2:00 pm

    Get well, Nick!!!! War Eagle!!!!

    Reply
  12. Sandra - October 15, 2020 3:17 pm

    Wishing you a speedy recovery ♥️🙏🏻 ROLL TIDE ROLL.

    Reply
  13. Dawn Bratcher - October 15, 2020 3:56 pm

    Hope your recovery is quick, Nick!

    Reply
  14. Dawn Bratcher - October 15, 2020 3:58 pm

    Sean, your drawing if Nick Saban is amazing!

    Reply
  15. jack giddens - October 15, 2020 4:21 pm

    Amen, Brother Sean!

    Reply
  16. Jane - October 15, 2020 4:24 pm

    Great story. I am not a football fan. I had no idea who Nick Saban was until I read that he had Covid. Thanks for this wonderful tale
    And I am praying for Nick too.

    Reply
  17. Betty kelly - October 15, 2020 4:42 pm

    Did you draw his picture?

    Reply
  18. Linda Moon - October 15, 2020 5:10 pm

    COVID has wrecked a lot of people. I’m glad you told us the story of Jamie’s father and Brother Nick. He’s in lots of prayers and thoughts, like the 168,000+ who also have had it…many of whom survived. Roll On, Coach, roll on.

    Reply
  19. MermaidGrammy - October 15, 2020 5:26 pm

    Heathen that I am, to me he’s “St. Nick”. Thank you, Sean, for a terrific tribute to a terrific man

    Reply
  20. W. Gary Smith - October 15, 2020 7:19 pm

    Great Article! Know you miss him! 🙏🏻 For Coach Saban and ROLL TIDE ROLL!

    Reply
  21. Linda Moon - October 15, 2020 10:34 pm

    P.S. Those 168,000-plus I mentioned were just Alabamians…..there are many more world-wide, unfortunately.

    Reply
  22. Katie Gillis - October 16, 2020 2:02 am

    Would you be interested in a female hound dog that’s a stray here in North Alabama?

    Reply
  23. James e inman - October 16, 2020 4:41 am

    A speedy recovery to ya coach Saban but please Lord grant UGA a victory on Saturday! Bless ya Coach from an old dawg.

    Reply
  24. elainenkarrh - October 16, 2020 7:18 pm

    Love Coach Saban and praying for a quick recovery.What a wonderful tribute to a great man,Sean. ROLL TIDE!!🐘🐘🏈🏈

    Reply
  25. Patsy Smith Jacks - October 22, 2020 6:28 pm

    Sean, Jim was like a brother to me! He and my brother Bobby Smith were best friends. My mother loved Jim as well, like one of her own. Your wife Jamie is a sweetheart, and I feel blessed to have taught her. Cat Fountain is a member of our TR Miller Class of ’65. I enjoy your wonderful vignettes— such warm., gentle breezes of our sweet life! Patsy Smith Jacks

    Reply

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