Former Alabama standout Damien Harris calls out Crimson Tide staffer for displaying cigar before Tennessee game

Former Alabama running back Damien Harris had quite an impressive career during his time with the Crimson Tide. He played for legendary coach Nick Saban from 2015-2018, and rushed for 3,070 yards and 23 touchdowns during his career.

Harris, now an analyst for CBS Sports, was frustrated when he saw director of player development Josh Chapman, who played for Alabama from 2007-11, with a cigar in his mouth before the game against Tennessee.

“That just really threw me for a loop. You know why? Because I know who that was, and those were people who were there when Saban was there — or who played for Saban,” Harris said of Chapman on the Until Saturday podcast. “I’m just sitting here, like, really? Like, really?”

What had Harris upset and disappointed was this went against everything that Saban stood for at Alabama.

“We’re just totally throwing everything that made Alabama what it was out of the window? We got coaches walking into the game, smoking cigars prematurely? Now I’m sure that’s going to be a meme for God knows how long,” Harris said.

“I mean, we’re just — what do we talk about, what does Nick Saban talk about? About the rat poison and feeding into the media and the narratives? He used to tell us all the time, you guys act like the team you’re playing is the greatest team in the world. You respect them, you show up and you play the game the right way.”

Many teams across the country would be happy with a 5-2 start to the season, but right now, there is a panic in Tuscaloosa under coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama can calm the panic this weekend by getting a home win against Missouri.

Mark Kern