Would Alabama ever recruit a gay football player? If Nick Saban is the head coach, the answer is yes.
The question has been a popular one this offseason, especially in light of the recent NFL Draft seeing Missouri defensive end Michael Sam make some history by becoming the first openly gay football player to be drafted by an NFL franchise. The St. Louis Rams selected the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the seventh round. Sam’s momentous day continues to be opening doors for discussions regarding other openly gay athletes in various sports, college football included.
Asked about whether or not he would recruit an openly gay football player at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida on Tuesday, Saban confirmed he would not hesitate to do so, with a very Saban-esque response.Nick Saban, when asked whether he would sign or recruit a gay player, says he would because he’s been on teams with “folks like that.”
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) May 27, 2014
Nick Saban on signing a gay player: “As long as we respect them, and they should respect us, I would have no problem with it.”
— Antonya English (@TBTimes_Gators) May 27, 2014
The response is everything you would hope to hear from a football coach. Saban is saying he would not be opposed to recruiting a gay football player as long as a comfortable environment can be created that works for everyone in the program. Though the quote may come off needing a little more polish, the sentiment is one that would apply to any football recruit. In recruiting, everybody needs to feel comfortable with each other, between coaching staff, players and family.