Tuscaloosa, AL — In what can only be described as an unprecedented wave of college football passion, fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide have launched a formal petition to rename the state of Alabama to “Sababama” in honor of legendary head coach Nick Saban. The petition, which surfaced online just three days ago, has already garnered over 1 million digital signatures and is gaining momentum by the hour.
The movement began on a Crimson Tide fan forum and quickly spread to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Devoted fans have rallied around the slogan, “He gave us championships, we give him the state,” as a tribute to Saban’s unparalleled legacy, which includes seven national championships and a transformative impact on the University of Alabama football program.
“I’m dead serious,” said Carla Jenkins, a lifelong Tuscaloosa resident and mother of three. “Coach Saban made us a dynasty. When people think of Alabama, they don’t think of Montgomery or Birmingham—they think of Saturdays in Bryant-Denny Stadium. He is Alabama.”
Nick Saban retired in early 2024, leaving behind a legacy that many argue transcends sports. His influence, fans say, helped elevate not just the football team, but the economy, university admissions, and national recognition of the state itself. Supporters argue that the symbolic gesture of renaming the state would immortalize his contributions in a way befitting a cultural icon.
Not everyone is on board, of course. State lawmakers have largely remained silent, while a few have expressed concern about the seriousness of the petition. “It’s certainly creative,” said State Senator William McAdams. “But changing a state’s name is a monumental legal and constitutional process, not something we do after a winning season—no matter how many we’ve had.”
The campaign, however, shows no signs of slowing down. Fans are organizing rallies, printing “Sababama 2025” T-shirts, and even promoting mock license plates that bear the new state name. Crimson-colored banners with Saban’s face and the words “Our Forever Governor” have been spotted on highways across the state.
Local businesses are cashing in on the craze, with restaurants offering “Sababama Specials” and themed menu items like the “Touchdown T-Bone” and “Roll Tide Red Velvet Cake.” One brewery in Birmingham even released a limited edition “Sababama Stout,” which sold out in less than 48 hours.
Some political analysts suggest that the movement is more about emotion than reality. “What we’re witnessing is a collective outpouring of gratitude,” said Dr. Emily Hartwell, a sociologist at Auburn University. “It’s a form of myth-making. Saban represents excellence, tradition, and dominance—values people want to hold on to in a time of change.”
Still, with over a million signatures and counting, the petition’s organizers say they plan to present their case to the Alabama Legislature later this summer. “We know it’s a long shot,” said lead organizer Trent Wilkins. “But so was beating Georgia in the SEC Championship, and look how that turned out.”
While it’s unlikely that the name “Sababama” will ever appear on a U.S. map, the movement underscores just how deeply Nick Saban has etched himself into the heart of a state—and how far Crimson Tide fans are willing to go to say thank you.
