Nick Saban Battles Fast Food Cravings Inside Crimson Tide Program
The Alabama Crimson Tide is set to take on the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Sep. 10 at 11 a.m. CT in Austin. A lot of attention has been given to the game-time temperatures and playing in the Texas heat.
During Thursday night's Hey Coach program, Alabama head coach Nick Saban went over several aspects of the preparation the programs makes to ensure his players are ready to compete at the highest level.
One of the main factors outside of hydration the Crimson Tide emphasizes is encouraging proper nutrition. Alabama is so serious about its athletes being fueled properly that the Tide has a $16 million nutrition center, but sometimes, according to Saban, it's hard to get the players to stay on the right diet.
"It's amazing how difficult it is to get guys to eat the right stuff, I mean, it just is," said Saban. "They'd rather go to Jack's."
"But they'd rather go there and eat a hamburger than go eat, like, we've got a $16 million nutrition center that's state of the art and you'd think you were putting them in jail to make them go in there and eat the right stuff."
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There are eight Jack's locations in Tuscaloosa County and personally, I love the Alabama fast-food chain. They serve hamburgers, fried chicken, breakfast, milkshakes and great southern sides.
Jack's has been my go-to fuel for covering Friday Night Football for our station in each of the first few weeks and I don't see that tradition changing. I've been a major proponent of a double-cheeseburger and a large coke on the way to watching our local stars play, but I don't have access to a kitchen and chefs worth $16 million!
I know dietary discipline is one of the hardest things to master, just look at my waistline! But I share in Saban's bewilderment as to his athletes choosing to spend their NIL money on Jack's Wickles Pickles Bacon Burger when they could opt for steak, fish, grilled chick or other gourmet options.
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One of the major recruiting angles for Saban and the Alabama football program is the in-depth care given to each of the athletes to maximize their potential.
No disrespect to Jack's, as your biscuits are heavenly, but I know the Crimson Tide faithful would love to see their players utilizing the dinning hall provided for them, especially this week headed into the Texas heat.