Nick Saban, University of Alabama football players help paint Habitat house

Terry Saban on Friday watched her husband, University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, paint the corner of a wall in the Habitat for Humanity house that Alabama players were helping paint and she decided to give the coach a few tips. Miss Terry adjusted the coach's technique much like he might give pointers to one of his defensive backs on their correct hand position.

The Sabans were joined by 17 members of the Crimson Tide football team to help paint the 20th house funded by Nick's Kids Foundation for Habitat for Humanity. This house, at 3021 Elm St., will be owned by Richelle Harris. Players were coming in two shifts Friday to help with the work.

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Traditionally, the Nick's Kids Foundation, the Sabans' charitable foundation, has funded new houses to commemorate national championships; however, last season, a house was funded in honor of the SEC championship.

"This is the 20th, which is the Sugar Bowl house," said Terry Saban, referencing the Crimson Tide's 45-20 Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State. "The reason we love Habitat is because owners here like Richelle are hard-working people, very deserving of a home, but they are also people who cannot qualify for today's conventional loans. Habitat for Humanity not only allows them to work with sweat-equity, but if they do have jobs they will be paying for the house as well."

Harris is going to be a first-time homeowner, having lived her entire life in rental properties, including McKenzie Court and Willow Chase Apartments.

"It is overwhelming and exciting. I am so grateful. The only downfall is that I wish my mom could be here to see it. She passed away in 2020. Right after that is when they called me and told me I was approved (for a home)," Harris said.

She removed a small locket that was hidden beneath her shirt and touched it affectionately, saying, "I will be bringing her in here with me. She's right here. She's going to be in here with me."

Harris has also raised a granddaughter since she was nine days old. That granddaughter is now 17. Her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins are all excited about the new house. It is directly across the street from Kaulton Park in West Tuscaloosa.

"I always wanted to be a homeowner, but like Miss Terry said, I couldn't qualify. I've been working three jobs to stay afloat and I'm a single parent. It's been a struggle, but we are making it," Harris said.

Miss Terry said, "Our players love being a part of this. Even if it's just for a little bit of time, even if it's just painting a wall, it is symbolic to them for the Sugar Bowl and that it is for Richele."

Harris said she is an Alabama fan and her brother is an Auburn fan. She is going to send him photos and videos of the Sabans and the Alabama players at work on her home as a little extra part of their friendly rivalry.

"I am so grateful to have these guys out here. Now I can just rub it in my brother's face that they were here," Harris said with a laugh.

The Alabama players were there as volunteers and were participating in order to give something back to the Tuscaloosa community. Offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, a redshirt junior, was volunteering on a Habitat project for the first time. His duty was painting trim molding that was to be installed later in the home.

"The city of Tuscaloosa has given so much to the football program, it's an honor to be able to give back and work on stuff like this," McLaughlin said.

His thoughts were echoed by fellow offensive lineman J.C. Latham, another first-time volunteer who said, "It's just about giving back to the community. I love doing volunteer work and I love showing love to the community because they are always showing love to us. It's about building those kind of relationships."

Reach Gary Cosby Jr. at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban's foundation sponsors 20th Habitat for Humanity house