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Nick Saban 'very proud' of the way Alabama players have advocated for racial and social justice

Nick Saban is happy with the way that his team’s players have become more outspoken on social issues this summer.

Saban said in an interview on ESPN’s “College GameDay” that he was “very proud” of the way that Alabama players have demonstrated and stood up for what they believe in. Alabama players helped organize a march for social and racial justice on Aug. 31.

“I think our players have tried to be positive, they recognize the issues that we have but they try to be positive in terms of what can we do to impact the future and create change in a positive way,” Saban said. “That’s why I’ve been very proud of the way that our players have approached it and I think they are doing some things that can affect change in our community as well as in the messaging that they’ve sent that all lives matter including black lives.”

While Saban’s use of the phrase “all lives matter” may raise some eyebrows, he’s clearly behind Alabama players’ efforts. He led the march on Aug. 31.

He also was part of this video taking a stand against racism written by Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood in June. The video ends with the phrase “all lives can’t matter until black lives matter.”

Saban also spoke at the Aug. 31 march along with Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne.

Alabama is also advocating for voter registration among all its athletes and students. Saban talked about that push earlier this week and said that he was proud of the efforts to get athletes registered to vote in their home states.

“I do think it is very, very important that every American has a voice and uses their opportunity to vote so their voice is heard,” Saban said Tuesday.

The University of Alabama football team, led by coach Nick Saban, grey slacks, marches on campus supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Nick Saban leads Alabama's football team on a social and racial justice march on Aug. 31. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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