Nick Saban encourages fans to wear masks in funny PSA

Alabama head coach Nick Saban recorded a public service announcement amid the coronavirus pandemic. Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama coach Nick Saban encourages fans to wear masks in PSA

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/21/20

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is asking fans to do their part to ensure college football is played this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a humorous public service announcement, the coach who has guided the Crimson Tide to five national championships encourages Alabama mascot Big Al to adhere to social distancing and wear a mask when around others:

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," Saban says during the serious portion of the PSA, "and to make that happen, we must be sure we stay at home if we have symptoms, wash your hands often, follow social-distancing guidelines, and please wear a mask any time you're around other people."

As ESPN's Chris Low reports, SEC presidents will vote on Friday to decide if student-athletes can return to campuses on June 1 for voluntary workouts, per NCAA guidelines.

Also on Thursday, ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Paula Lavigne reported that Power 5 university athletic programs could potentially lose around $4 billion if the football season is canceled because of the pandemic.

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