Nick Saban took the podium at 11:05 a.m. CT, five minutes past the scheduled start of Tua Tagovailoa’s highly-anticipated press conference. Tagovailoa’s decision was broadcasted live on ESPN, and the presser was a full house, as reporters crowded into Alabama’s football center. Saban looked somber and sounded sentimental as he described Tagovailoa’s impact on the Alabama football program, making it clear that the junior quarterback was set to declare for the NFL.
“He has had great accomplishments on the field,” Saban said. “But you probably don’t understand the contribution he has made off the field.”
Then Tagovailoa walked up to the podium in a loud black-and-white printed shirt and confirmed what everyone knew: After thanking God, he announced that he is entering the NFL draft.