Alabama head coach Nick Saban has no interest in talking politics, saying that he encourages all people to vote but will not publicly endorse a presidential candidate.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is a lot like Bill Belichick in the way he tunes out distractions, and it seems that not even a historic election cycle will prevent the legendary coach from keeping his focus on the upcoming NCAA season.
When asked about the upcoming election, Saban refused to endorse either candidate but urged Americans to go the polls and make sure that they have a say in which politicians represent them.
Saban: I'm not endorsing nor will I ever endorse a candidate. But I think it's important for every American to vote and have their voice heard.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) September 8, 2020
While Saban has normally stayed out of politics, AJ Spurr of USA Today notes that Saban has always taken a firm stance in support of unity and racial justice, while also acknowledging that, as a football coach, he cannot answer the societal questions that some may look to him for guidance on.
Nick Saban’s willingness to stay silent on political issues speaks volumes.
Saban’s acknowledgment that he is not qualified to tell Americans which way to vote shows just how well he understands his role in the societal fabric. While other coaches like Dabo Swinney and Mike Gundy have brought their personal opinions into the public eye, Saban knows better.
By staying reserved, he avoids alienating his players and allows himself to focus on his primary goal: winning another national championship.
The decorated head coach knows that he is entitled to keep his opinions private, and while he did appear in a campaign commercial for West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, the senator was a close personal friend of his, and Saban spoke only about his character, not his politics.
While those who idolize Saban as a coach may want to know his personal stances, he is entitled to his decision to stay private about his politics. By urging others to vote, however, he passed along a powerful message and one which the United States needs as a pivotal presidential election approaches.
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