HOOVER, Ala., July 21 (UPI) -- Unscrupulous sports agents targeting college players are like pimps, Alabama head football Coach Nick Saban said Wednesday.
Speaking at the annual Southeastern Conference Media Day in Hoover, Ala., Saban blasted influence of crooked agents over college athletes, saying they entice them into violating NCAA rules at a stage of their lives when they are vulnerable, The (Florence, Ala.) Times Daily reported.
Citing reports that Alabama's Marcell Dareus might have had improper contact with sports agents, Saban said, "I don't think it is anything but greed that is creating this. How are they any better than a pimp? I have no respect for the people who are doing this."
The Crimson Tide mentor called on the NFL and the NFL Players Association to take action against agents accused of tampering with college players and to institute a system that would suspend them for a year, the Times Daily reported.
"I'm for doing something," Saban said. "I don't think the system as it is is very good. I'd hate for somebody to suspend me for a year. I think it would have a significant effect."
