Alabama uses helicopter to help save player's father

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head coach Nick Saban has continued to state his condolences to those involved in Hurricane Harvey which has hammered East Texas in recent days. With several Texas players on his roster, the head coach gave an update on the statuses of the families affected during his weekly radio show Thursday night.

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While most players’ families have avoided damage, Saban said senior Tony Brown’s family has been the most affected. Brown is a native of Beaumont, Texas, which is located 100 miles east of Houston near the Louisiana border.

“Tony family is probably the most affected,” Saban said. “Their street was flooded. I don’t think it got in the house, but they lost water and power and all that.”

To add to the complications, Brown’s father, also named Tony Brown, is in bad health and unable to stay in a shelter. Fortunately for the Browns, Alabama was there to answer the call.

“We are actually helicoptering him tonight to a hotel in College Station,” Saban said followed by a loud cheer. “I think when things like this happen, it’s all about people. Whoever they root for, we need to stick together to help other folks. I’ve been really, really proud of the way our family at the University of Alabama has helped whenever other people have had tragedies that they’ve had to deal with and circumstances that we can help them overcome.”

The Alabama Department of Athletics issued a statement earlier Thursday night stating it will collect donations to support the United Way in its efforts to assist with Hurricane Harvey recovery in the Houston area.

An 18-wheel truck, donated by Coleman Worldwide Moving of Dothan, Ala., will arrive in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, and collections will begin the following day. Drop off times are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 7 from 3 – 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.and Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8 – 11 a.m.

The truck will be stationed near light pole 30 in the University Mall parking lot adjacent to McFarland Boulevard.