Nick Saban recalls kind gesture from Jalen Hurts amid ex-Alabama football QB health concerns

BIRMINGHAM — Nick Saban has yet to hear from Jalen Hurts since news of health concerns have put the future of his NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles on hold. He is keeping one of his former Alabama football quarterbacks in mind, though.

Before speaking to the Monday Morning Quarterback Club at the Harbert Center on Monday, Oct. 19, Saban said he had texted Hurts. He also shared that the Super Bowl champ sent the "prettiest flowers" to Saban and wife Miss Terry following the release of the Saban docuseries on ESPN.

"He's such a first-class guy," Saban said.

Updates on Hurts' health have grown since Thursday, Oct. 15, when it was revealed that Hurts would miss a Week 6 matchup with the Carolina Panthers after being diagnosed with a blood clot, which was found in a follow-up ultrasound for a calf injury.

Nick Saban's 'thoughts and prayers' with Jalen Hurts amid health concerns

By Saturday, Oct. 17, Hurts was placed on injured reserve. The following Monday, the Eagles announced that Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli and multiple reports surfaced that the blood clot moved to Hurts' lungs. Ian Rapoport reported that Hurts will miss the rest of the year with the ailment.

"We thanked him for all the support, told him our thoughts and prayers are with him for a speedy recovery, so I'm sure I'll hear from him," Saban said.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.