Heroes Who Rarely Get Recognition in College Football

Talking to the players, many like to tell their favorite story about Terry, and she calls the team her "extended family."

She has involved herself in a other aspects of the university too.  Recently, when we added new coaches, she helped with the transition with the new coaches' wives.  She manages Nick's Kids, a foundation that has given over $300,000 to help needy children.

Her boundless energy also extends to her work with Habitat for Humanity, raising money for the library on campus, and so much more.

I met her recently and she one of the things she and Nick enjoy supporting the most is the scholarship fund for first-generation college students.

"Nick and I were both the first generation in our families to graduate from college.  We both come from grass-roots families and know the hardships that come with trying to manage a household budget and still send kids to college," Terry told me.

"Nick's dad made a living running a gas station; he worked hard and long hours but still found the time to coach Pop Warner football and give back something to his community," she continued.

"These are lessons we learned as kids, and we want to pass them along to our children as well.  You enjoy the blessings you have more when you learn to share those with others," Terry concluded.

Seeing the work these two ladies have done for Alabama makes one realize that these lessons will be passed on to the next generation.

Coach Bryant and Mary's son learned those lessons from his parents and recently gave $10 million to the university's Crimson Tradition Fund, as well as serving on the board of directors for many years.

So the next time you cheer another great recruiting class or another great season, don't forget that there are many behind the scenes who helped make it happen.

At Alabama, one of those people is Terry Saban, who like another great coach's wife, is happy to do those usually thankless jobs that mean so much.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?