Alabama players celebrate, sing to Nick Saban on birthday

In Tuscaloosa, there is more than just Halloween to celebrate on Oct. 31. It’s the birthday of an important figure in the city, with Alabama head coach Nick Saban turning 72 years old on Tuesday. A fun combination for the program, getting to have a few minutes of fun heading into an important game against LSU.

Alabama was set to have a meeting but before getting down to business, there was a chance to sing Happy Birthday to Saban. Players were provided with some party hats and there was even a cake for everyone to enjoy. Halloween-themed cupcakes were available as well.

Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry were seemingly leading the group, standing up and leading the team in song. Saban had a smile on his face the entire time and was enjoying the moment.

You can check out the full video from Alabama Football here.

Trick or Treat 👻

Happy Halloween Birthday to the 🐐!! pic.twitter.com/rBgjaqA6UI

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 31, 2023

Not surprisingly, Saban is not too concerned about his birthday on a personal level. He is focused on Saturday’s clash against LSU, with control of the SEC West being on the line. With his birthday coming during the football season, it’s all business for Saban.

“That would be an outstanding birthday present if we could play well in this game,” Saban said on Monday. “So that’s what I’m focused on and that’s what we’re really trying to do. When your birthday and holidays come up during the football season, they’re really not holidays and they’re really not birthdays. You get older, but you don’t really celebrate much.”

The players are on the same page too. Quarterback Jalen Milroe knows nothing would make Saban happier around his birthday than taking down LSU at home. Only difference from a few years ago may be Saban having a little bit more fun throughout the process.

“I think the biggest gift he wants is a win this week, we all know that,” Milroe said. ” We all know that in the locker room, but we all [are] definitely going to tell him happy birthday. He’s getting old but still acts young. That’s the funny part. He does everything young. He’s a lot of fun, though.”

Alabama has a pretty good record around Saban’s birthday, being 12-4 in their game closest played to Oct 31. They actually got a win against Mississippi State on Halloween during the 2020 season.

Of those 16 games, a lot of them have come against LSU, traditionally being the first weekend of November. A belated birthday present will be welcomed by Nick Saban on Saturday night against the Tigers.