Nick Saban decided to share a story about President Donald Trump before introducing him Thursday night at Coleman Coliseum.
Saban went back to the Alabama football visit to the White House in 2018 after Alabama won the national championship. Saban said Trump was the first president to invite Saban and the Crimson Tide into the Oval Office.
Saban took three captains with him.
“The president is really nice to everybody and he’s got this very big, good-looking auspicious box on his desk that has a red button on top,” Saban said. “One of the players said, ‘Is that what you launch the missiles with?’ He said, ‘Well, push it and find out.’ The player said, ‘No I don’t want to do that.’ He says, ”No, go ahead. Go ahead. Push it, see what happens, find out.’"
Linebacker Rashaan Evans mustered the courage to do it. He decided to push the red button.
“Some lady came in with a Coke on a tray,” Saban said, laughing.
Trump was in Tuscaloosa on Thursday to deliver an address to members of the 2025 graduating class for the University of Alabama for a commencement event. Saban, who won six national championships over 17 seasons with Alabama before retiring after the 2023 season, spoke before Trump.
“I really want to express my appreciation to President Trump for choosing the University of Alabama for his commencement address,” Saban said, “and making time to speak to our graduates.”
