In a video posted by the University of Alabama football program on Friday evening, star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can be seen joyously reuniting with teammates and Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.
As players, coaches and staff apparently arrived to eat their game day eve meal, Tagovailoa greeted everyone with a smile and an upbeat message.
“Man, I’m living life now — I get to see you guys,” he told one group of teammates.
He also shared an enthusiastic embrace with Mac Jones, who will start at quarterback with Tagovailoa out for the season following surgery on his right hip, as well as receivers Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs.
However, the main Hallmark moment came when Saban strode in.
“Coach, what up,” Tagovailoa said upon seeing him.
The two then embraced before sharing some laughs.
Saban earlier in the week had joked about Tagovailoa being unshaven and still dealing with a broken nose.
Nick Saban FaceTimed with Tua Tagovailoa today.
Tua — who also had surgery for his broken nose — hasn’t shaved in a few days, so Saban said he joked with him, “I’d like to say you look good, but…”
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 21, 2019
On Friday, Tagovailoa kept that joke going, saying, “Now you recognize me, uh,” while gesturing towards his now shaven face.
Later in the video, Tagovailoa can be seen using crutches to move into the dining space.
Pictures he posted on Instagram show that Tagovailoa is once again using an electric scooter to travel longer distances.
Watch the video:
Ohana. pic.twitter.com/PpMefTHWbZ
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 23, 2019
RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa arrives back in Tuscaloosa following surgery, encourages fans to attend Senior Day
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
