Nick Saban’s Messages Still Resonate with Jonathan Allen

Nick Saban’s resume speaks for itself, seven national championships and countless All-Americans and first-round picks during his tenure in Tuscaloosa. He’s been coaching for almost 50 years and is full of wisdom and messages that he bestows on his players that apply not only to football but in life.

Training camps are fully underway across the NFL and for Washington Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, one message from coach Saban always resonates with him.

“Coach Saban would always say as long as you give 100% you can always live with the results, the times you can’t live with it are the times you don’t give 100% because you’ll always be questioning what if.”

Allen was a dominant player his final three seasons at Alabama. He was a three-time first-team All-SEC selection and helped lead the Crimson Tide to three SEC championships and a national championship in 2015.

Allen claimed SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Unanimous All-American honors in 2016. He also won the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Awards, presented to the top defensive player in college football and the Lombardi Award, presented to the best lineman (offensive or defensive) in college football. Washington selected Allen with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

Last summer he inked a four-year, $72-million extension with the Commanders. Allen has started all 64 games he’s appeared in over the last four seasons, earning first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2021.