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Nick Saban reacts to viral Jalen Hurts benching clip

Nick Saban reflected on the emotional 2018 College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia, where he famously benched starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of freshman Tua Tagovailoa at halftime. Alabama trailed 13-0, and despite Hurts’ impressive 26-2 record as a starter, Saban chose to switch quarterbacks, a decision that drew immediate skepticism from his own staff.

The moment, captured in the ESPN docuseries *Saban*, has since gone viral, prompting the Alabama head coach to revisit the toughest call of his career nearly a decade later. Saban emphasized Hurts’ resilience and character, noting how the quarterback stayed at Alabama, graduated, and later returned to win the SEC championship in 2019.

The experience, Saban argued, ultimately shaped Hurts into a more refined NFL player, culminating in his Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles. The coach praised Hurts’ ability to overcome adversity, calling it a defining chapter in his development as both an athlete and a leader.

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Nick Saban gives Jalen Hurts major credit for handling Alabama football QB change in 2018 national championship