Internet praises Maria Taylor following Nick Saban’s uncalled for blow-up
As Maria Taylor perfectly said, she was just doing her job. She asked Nick Saban a simple quesiton about his quarterbacks.
Alabama had just steam rolled Louisville 51-14. The Alabama coach should’ve been in a good mood all things considered. Instead he had a became enraged at the question as if it were a discussion about politics with your uncle at Thanksgiving.
Saban’s response was akin to one of his “ass-chewing” he often gives to a player.
“I think both guys are good players. I think both guys can help our team. So, why do you continually try to get me to say something that doesn’t respect one of them? I’m not going to! So quit asking!”
kevinmcguire: Nick Saban got testy with Maria in the postgame interview. ABC Action News 11:30PM https://t.co/NVuDPgLdLo pic.twitter.com/OGGtSbUdWI
— FanNewsClips (@FanNewsClips) September 2, 2018
Taylor later took to Twitter to shrug off the incident, saying she was already focusing on her next game, as she’ll be covering the Florida State-Virginia Tech game on Monday. The Georgia and Grady College of Journalism grad also signed a new extension with ESPN earlier this week, so it’s safe to say her employers recognize how great she is at her job.
Don’t mind me…Just doing my job. On to the next game. See you at @VT_Football at @FSUFootball
— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor7) September 2, 2018
But it seems like quite a few weren’t too thrilled with how Saban treated Taylor.
Sports Illustrated’s Joan Niesen wrote that Saban owes Taylor an apology. Paul Finebaum called Saban’s tirade classless.
Related: WATCH: ‘Classless’ Alabama coach Nick Saban snaps at former Georgia star Maria Taylor
A number of other peronsalities weighed in on the matter and the issue seems to be pretty black and white. It was an overreaction on Saban’s part and Taylor handled an incredibly sticky situation very well.
I watched GameDay this morning and Chris Fowler asked Saban an innocuous question about the QBs and he was fine. But now he wants to say it with his chest after a live game. As reporters, we’re all prepared for this — as Maria was — but Saban was being unbelievably extra.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 2, 2018
Here are the facts that were reaffirmed in Saban’s post game interview.
1) Saban uses interviews to send a message to his team
2) Saban doesn’t care what you think
3) @MariaTaylor7 is a one of the best in the business and an absolute pro.None of this was new or shocking to me.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) September 2, 2018
Exhibit 931: Maria Taylor is really, really, really good at her job, and really gracious. Much respect to her.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 2, 2018
Nick Saban is wrong for this https://t.co/ZxqBjjIFq0
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) September 2, 2018
“Responded critically” …man you guys suck up.
Pure and simple…he handled this like a total jerk. He owes @MariaTaylor7 an apology which I expect he will. Privately, of course, so he doesn’t stop intimidating all the others. https://t.co/pKzUHZO39E
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 2, 2018
Reporter: How are you?
Saban: I LIKE ALL FEELINGS SO WHY DON’T YOU STOP TRYING TO GET ME TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH I HATE SADNESS pic.twitter.com/eowKCKG1px— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) September 2, 2018
According to a report from Jim Miller, who recently profiled Nick Saban as a part of his Origins series, the Alabama coach did apologize to Taylor after the game.
Last night #NickSaban called and apologized to @MariaTaylor7 #RollTide #mariataylor
— jamesmiller (@JimMiller) September 2, 2018
Saban is probably incredibly annoyed that he keeps getting asked about his quarterback situation. And while he doesn’t have to be honest with the media about it, he has too know that until he gives an answer these questions are going to continue. Kirby Smart knows this too with the Jake Fromm-Justin Fields questions. But you won’t see him lose it after his team just drubbed an ACC team after an innocuous questions about his quarterbacks.
While it was a much lower profile game, Georgia breezed through Austin Peay on Saturday and both Justin Fields and Jake Fromm looked good. You can probably bet Smart will get some questions about his quarterbacks ahead of the SEC opener against South Carolina this week. But it’s safe to Smart probably won’t blow up at a reporter about it.
The Bulldogs take on South Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast by CBS.
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