ATLANTA -- Alabama coach Nick Saban practically gushed at Jalen Hurts' side as he talked about the unprecedented nature of his situation and the resolve and competitive spirit he showed. To say that he was proud of his quarterback as they sat in the post-game news conference after beating Georgia, 35-28, to win the SEC championship game on Saturday night would have been the understatement of the century.
Not in his four decades of coaching had he ever been more proud of a player, Saban said.
But as he said all this, as he spoke of Hurts' team-first attitude and how it would serve him so well in his future, Hurts himself was almost emotionless.