Texas A&M AD Says Nick Saban’s Comments Violate SEC Sportsmanship Rules

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Head football coach Jimbo Fisher isn’t the only high-profile member of Texas A&M’s athletic department who took issue with comments from Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

Saban turned heads Wednesday when he told reporters, “A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image and likeness. We didn’t buy one player. But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to sustain that in the future because more and more people are doing it.”

Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork told Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated he views the comments as a “personal attack” on the school and Fisher, and he reached out to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey about Saban potentially violating the SEC’s sportsmanship bylaws.

“I don’t know why Nick Saban would say what he said except he’s threatened,” Bjork said. “There is a saying … an emperor who loses their dynasty lashes out. He seems to be making excuses.

“This is personal. Coach Fisher views this as a personal attack on his integrity and on Texas A&M’s integrity. To have personal attacks, to say that the only reason A&M is [recruiting well] is NIL money is wrong.”

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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