Alabama HC Nick Saban tapes PSA encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations

Alabama has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. That could all change if Nick Saban's message hits home with fans of the Crimson Tide.

Saban taped a public service announcement this week for the Alabama Department of Public Health urging residents to get vaccinated, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The advertisements are set to run next week on television, radio and social media. Saban provides a pretty compelling reason to get vaccinated:

"College football fans and players both want full stadiums this fall," Saban has been recorded saying. "Let's make sure we can safely make this happen by getting vaccinated. Please get your Covid-19 vaccine. We want Bryant-Denny Stadium loud again this coming season—and Roll Tide!"

Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey and Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley are also among those who have taped similar messages for the campaign, the Wall Street Journal says.

Saban's PSA comes as demand for the vaccine lags behind supply in Alabama. The federal government is threatening to reduce the number of vaccines and reallocate doses to places where residents want them more.

The Biden administration hopes that 70% of adults in the United States will have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4.