Nick Saban doesn’t want to mix sports and politics.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Alabama Crimson Tide coach admitted he didn’t even know there was an election on Tuesday.
“To be honest with you,” Saban lied, “I didn’t even know yesterday was election day. We’re focused on other things here.”
It’s highly doubtful Saban was oblivious to the U.S. Election. He’s certainly a busy man, guiding the top-ranked Alabama to a perfect record this season, but his response sounds more like a deflection than an admittance.
Saban later said he doesn’t discuss politics because of the connotations applied to him for admitting who he’s voting for. While he’s not naming names, Saban said he wants “what’s best for our country” and to be safe.
“I want what’s best for our country, I want what’s best for people who want to improve the quality of their life. I hope whoever our leader is, he will certainly do all that he can do to make our country safe and improve the quality of life of a lot of the people that we have in our country.”
Saban has discussed politics with players, but in an off-hand way. In his book Saban: The Making of a Coach, the 65-year-old used Clinton when giving advice to players on sex.
Lots of life lessons in the new Nick Saban biography. pic.twitter.com/l2MFUy07vm
— Ben Cohen (@bzcohen) July 27, 2015
It’s an unfortunate analogy but doesn’t reveal his voting preference.
Saban’s making the right career move by staying silent, even if his comments about not knowing the election took place are total crap.
[Deadspin]