Alabama football coach Nick Saban is doing his part to promote social distancing and proper hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if that means he has to chew out a big fella who isn't complying.
The unfortunate target of Saban's "wrath"? Crimson Tide mascot Big AL.
Saban got his message across to the pachyderm in a public service announcement the football program posted Thursday on Twitter. Saban was joined in the spot by Jeff Allen, Alabama's associate athletic director for sports medicine.
A special message from Coach Saban, Big AL and Jeff Allen!#InThisTogether #RollTide pic.twitter.com/wLk8Du9R0V
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) May 21, 2020
"All of us want to make sure we play football this fall," a masked Saban said into a camera at the end of the PSA, "and to make that happen, we must be sure we stay at home if we have symptoms, wash our hands often, follow all social distancing guidelines, and please wear a mask anytime you're around other people."
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Looking at how Saban delivered his line to Big AL, you best believe that mascot (and maybe a few humans, too) will heed the coach for the remainder of the pandemic.
The 2020 NCAA football season is still scheduled to begin Aug. 29, and Alabama is set to open Sept. 5 against USC in Arlington, Texas. There were reports, however, that Alabama may be exploring an alternate opponent, such as TCU, if the Trojans are unable to play because of the pandemic.
