Bryce Young, Mark Ingram present Nick Saban with Icon Award at ESPYs

Nick Saban was one of the most iconic figures in sports history during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He helped guide the Crimson Tide into one of the biggest dynasties in sports history during his tenure there.

One of the greatest to ever do it retired recently, and on Thursday evening, he accepted the Icon Award at the ESPYs. A couple of his former Heisman Trophy winners, Bryce Young and Mark Ingram, presented him with the award.

Nick Saban talkin' bout practice 😅 pic.twitter.com/bkdcvsj6UA

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Saban gave an in-depth speech on Thursday night after he accepted the award. And he shared several words about success, teammwork, and all of the people that helped him win the special award. Part of his speech is transcribed below.

Nick Saban acceptance speech at the ESPYs

“But you know, we’ve always been blessed with having great individualities. But they’ve also been great people. And I think that’s what contributed to our success. And when you talk about iconic players like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant or Serena Williams. It was all because of what they did. It was their points, it was their win. But when you talk about iconic coaches, it’s all about how did you represent your team? How did your team represent you? Think about John Wooden and the success that he had for years. Coach Bryant, the success that he had. Dawn Staley, is an icon coach in my mind for what she’s been able to accomplish for women at South Carolina,” Saban began.

“So I can attest to you, what it takes to build a team. You have to have great players. And appreciate the way that they compete. You have to have really good coaches who help develop the players. You have to have really good support personnel that set the table so that the players can compete. You have to have great mentors. Which I’ve had great mentors who taught me how I can teach players. And how I can inspire learning in players so that they can be all that they can actually be,” Saban continued.

Saban was quick to point out the thousands of people that contributed to the award, including his wife, Mrs. Terry. And the countless number of players that suited up for him between the lines over the past few decades.

“So, I can only accept this award on behalf of all the other folks that contributed to it. Which there’s a thousand of them. And every time I look at this, I’m gonna see the faces of all the people who worked so hard to help us be successful. And the relationships that were able and forged in those teams that made it so special. And it’ll also be the thing that I miss about coaching. You’ve got, there’s a lot of athletes in this room. There’s a lot of coaches in this room. There’s nothing like being part of a team. That’s what I’m gonna miss. I’ve been part of a team since I was nine years old,” the legendary former Alabama football coach continued.

“So, with all this help and success, all I ever was, aight, was the conductor of a process. And our process was to help every player be more successful in life because they were involved in the program. So, number one, they had to respect the principles and values of the team and they had to respect each other. And they had to be positive about how they went about their work. And how they set a good example and could be somebody that their teammates could emulate. And they could be responsible for their own self-determination. Which is accountability to do their job,” Saban continued.

During his tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Saban won six national championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020). His legacy is forever cemented as one of the greatest college football coaches of all-time.