Maria Taylor's response to Coach Saban on the Paul Finebaum show

[BamaInBham]

I started a new thread rather than putting this in the existing thread about the entire ordeal because I was concerned that some who might be interested were tired of checking the old thread.

Anyway, she was incredibly sensible and gracious as most who are familiar with her would expect. (IMO, she would never try to provoke an incendiary comment, though I realize producers and directors have their influence. She asked a legitimate question since live action had then taken place.)

Here is the quote from the Saturday Down South article which was quoting from the Finebaum interview. The link is below.

“I’ve been yelled at by coaches since I was 12 years old playing AAU basketball. You know what I mean? I’ve been called everything under the sun, and by any coach you can imagine,” Taylor told Finebaum. “So it didn’t really affect me in that way. I understand that at times coaches get heated and there are things they don’t really want to talk about. As a sideline reporter, you’re in the line of fire, and I just got lit up once. And that’s fine. And I received a call from Saban even before I got to the highway leaving the stadium. That’s how passionate he was about getting the apology out. It wasn’t after he heard a backlash about it or negative talk, it was how he felt immediately in that moment. And I’m so thankful, and I respect him for making that call.

“It’s all good. I’m going to see him again. We’re going to be fine. Things happen, and I know that we both put it behind us, and hopefully everyone else can as well.I know how great Alabama is. I know how great Coach Nick Saban is, and I enjoy being around his program. I will continue to enjoy being around his program.”

It's difficult not to be charmed by her. Also, it is significant that Coach Saban reached out to her immediately, i.e., he was not coerced by media whining. He knew he had been uncivil and needed to make it right. She was right to make the quick response known.

Link: https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/espns-maria-taylor-speaks-publicly-for-first-time-after-nick-saban-interview/

 

[rgw]

It's difficult not to be charmed by her.

uhhhh ya think?

 

[Go Bama]

So there. Much ado about nothing.

 

[GHoppr]

A very wise and intelligent woman. She knew full well that Coach was just mad at how the team played at the end and was just venting. She was just the unfortunate target at that point in time. Now too bad the "fake news" had to go make a mountain of a mole hill, but what more did you expect ?

Move along, nothing to see here.

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[deliveryman35]

Hopefully this puts the whole story to bed finally and out of the news cycle. All the faux outrage and righteous indignation over it has just been ridiculously over the top.

 

[RammerJammer15]

Told ya, Maria is a strong woman and a sports woman as well. She knows how intense sports gets, so for the media to paint her as “poor old Maria” was a disservice to her in my opinion.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Classy response.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Told ya, Maria is a strong woman and a sports woman as well. She knows how intense sports gets, so for the media to paint her as “poor old Maria” was a disservice to her in my opinion.

edited

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Fake news? Hardly. But its shelf life will rightfully be a short one.

A very wise and intelligent woman. She knew full well that Coach was just mad at how the team played at the end and was just venting. She was just the unfortunate target at that point in time. Now too bad the "fake news" had to go make a mountain of a mole hill, but what more did you expect ?

Move along, nothing to see here.

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[Redwood Forrest]

Hopefully this puts the whole story to bed finally and out of the news cycle. All the faux outrage and righteous indignation over it has just been ridiculously over the top.

Finebum was one of those making a big deal out of it. Finebum who only got on his knees kissing ESPN bosses and begging forgiveness for having the audacity to disagree about the Anthem issue. Finebum who waited until the backlash to do what we all knew he would have to do to keep his job dared to criticize someone who didn't wait. Oh my.

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

So there. Much ado about nothing.

Like we always knew. People just want a story.

 

[GrayTide]

Both showed great character and professionalism in how this situation was handled. I am sure the sports media is disappointed that the situation was defused.

 

[ROLLTRIBE]

Her stock rose significantly after that comment.

 

[Tideflyer]

Her stock rose significantly after that comment.

Got that right. Wouldn't at all be surprised to see her first in line to get an interview with CNS going forward.

 

[BamaFlum]

Her stock rose significantly after that comment.

Very gracious and well thought out response by her. Her stock definitely rose after this.


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[Pilot172000]

She was a total professional during the initial interview. She didn't take offense and pressed forward. I was extremely impressed with her and think she is going to go far.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

Hopefully this puts the whole story to bed finally and out of the news cycle. All the faux outrage and righteous indignation over it has just been ridiculously over the top.

I saw the incident live, like most of us here. I thought, "gee, he's worked up again, and went a little strong in venting... been here, seen this before. He will make things right when he cools down."

I assumed there would be negative press about it, so just I didn't pay any attention. If there is a wave of negativity that upsets someone going around in the media, remember, nobody is forcing you to read it.

Reading the opening post, with the report about Saban calling the reporter before she made it to the highway...that's exactly what I expected would happen. I just spared myself all that "faux outrage and righteous indignation" that was tacked on the story. I recommend it.

 

[TAKEPRIDE22]

Classy response from a Classy lady...I'm glad he reached out after the game. Now as far as Baum goes...he'll see Saban again as well...wonder how that will go. His response was really directed at all reporters...he's tired of the question after he has already given his answer.

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

It was just the media that blew it up. It seems nobody asked her how she took it. They just went full into it to try to derail Coach Saban seemingly. Didn't work apparently.

I also like how she put it out there. That he said something even before the media blew up about it. It showed Coach's character in that to me. My respect for her has grown even more now.

 

[BamaNation]

One thing that I think added to Coach Saban's ire was that 30 seconds before kickoff (literally) she asked him who the starting QB was going to be. I had missed seeing this until watching the replay. I think that was the impetus for why he said "QUIT ASKING!"

But that notwithstanding, Coach apologized hours after the game. So why is this a story a week later? Goes back to my point about his reaction is exactly why the question was asked.