Sports

Nick Saban Condoles With High School Football Team Following Coach’s Death

Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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He shouts. He spits. He wins national championships.

Love him or hate him, Nick Saban is certainly one of the most polarizing figures in college athletics.

However, Saturday Down South reports that a recent letter to a Tuscumbia, Ala., high school football team gave us a glimpse of Alabama’s head coach’s softer side.

Last weekend, Jake Linville — a Deshler High School football coach — was found dead in his apartment from an apparent gunshot wound. Upon learning of the incident, Saban penned his condolences to the grieving Tigers:

Located two hours north of Tuscaloosa, Deshler High has funneled several players into the Crimson Tide program, including CB Deion Belue.

Linville’s death came in the middle of a seven-game win streak and absolutely blindsided the Tigers.

On the field, Saban wants to win, but this letter shows that he knows life is about more than just first downs and touchdowns.