Video: Derrick Henry, Former Alabama Players Honor Nick Saban on 'College GameDay'

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was one of several former University of Alabama players to congratulate former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban on Saturday for a major honor the school bestowed upon him.

Henry, former New Orleans Saints and Ravens running back Mark Ingram, former New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower and former St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Barrett Jones all sent in videos in celebration of the University of Alabama rechristening the Bryant-Denny Stadium field as Saban Field:

In the video package, which aired on ESPN College GameDay, Henry called Saban "the GOAT," and said the coach made him both a better player and a better person.

Saban retired from coaching at the conclusion of the 2024 season after leading the Crimson Tide to enormous success during his 17-year tenure.

Alabama went a remarkable 201-29 under Saban, winning six national championships and producing four Heisman Trophy winners in Ingram, Henry, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and quarterback Bryce Young.

The Tide also produced a ton of NFL talent while Saban was at the helm, and the legendary coach heralded the program's success in that regard on Saturday.

Saban said there are currently 61 Alabama players on NFL rosters, and they have signed contracts totaling $1.1 billion.

Bear Bryant has long been considered the standard at Alabama in terms of head football coaches, and while Saban didn't quite reach the 232 coaching wins Bryant had at Bama, Saban had 17 fewer losses and the same number of national titles.

When Saban took over at Alabama, the Tide were coming off a 6-7 season and hadn't won a national championship since 1992, but he left the program in far better shape than he found it.

Alabama is once again among the unquestioned elite programs in college football, and new head coach Kalen DeBoer already has a team capable of challenging for a national title in his first season.

Saban's impact on Alabama football is undeniable and it is only fitting that his name will forever be attached to the iconic venue at which the Crimson Tide play.