Former Alabama Star Kerry Goode, Battling ALS, Shares Touching Birthday Message He Received From Legendary Coach Nick Saban This Week

In a week filled with reflection, courage, and celebration, former Alabama running back Kerry Goode turned 60 and received a message that brought both joy and inspiration not only to him but also to fans and former teammates alike. A man once known for his agility, strength, and determination on the football field, Goode now fights an opponent far more relentless than any SEC defense: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Goode, who played at Alabama from 1983 to 1987, has battled ALS since 2015. Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a neurodegenerative condition that robs individuals of their muscle control and eventually their ability to speak, move, and breathe on their own. It’s a condition that slowly paralyzes the body while leaving the mind painfully intact. Yet despite the odds, Goode has continued to fight with grace, leaning on his faith, family, and the ever-present Alabama football community that has never forgotten him.

On Thursday, Goode posted a special video on his social media platforms — a message from none other than legendary Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. The video, though brief, delivered an immense emotional impact. In it, Saban wished Goode a happy 60th birthday and shared heartfelt words that showed just how deep the bond runs between the Alabama program and one of its most respected alumni.

“Happy 60th birthday, Kerry,” Saban began. “I just want you to know that all of us here at Alabama are thinking about you. We love you, we respect the fight you’ve shown, and we admire the way you carry yourself through life. You’re an inspiration to every one of us.”

The video wasn’t widely circulated through media outlets, but it didn’t need to be. It resonated directly with Goode and his legion of supporters — and that was enough. Goode responded through his post, writing, “This birthday greeting meant the world to me. Thank you, Coach Saban. Roll Tide forever.”

The post immediately drew thousands of reactions and shares across the Alabama football world. Former teammates, players from other eras, and fans across the country flooded the comments with messages of love, admiration, and birthday wishes. It was a reminder of the powerful brotherhood that surrounds Alabama football, one that doesn’t fade with time or physical condition.

Kerry Goode’s story is one of promise and pain. A high school phenom from Town Creek, Alabama, he arrived at the University of Alabama with sky-high expectations. He didn’t disappoint early on, dazzling fans and coaches alike with his electric speed and sharp vision. As a freshman in 1983, he showed glimpses of greatness that had Tide fans dreaming of championships. But injuries, particularly a devastating ACL tear, hampered much of his college career.

Despite the physical setbacks, Goode remained committed to the game, eventually reaching the NFL, where he played briefly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. He later transitioned into coaching and scouting, including a stint with the New York Giants. Throughout it all, he carried himself with dignity, and those who crossed paths with him often remarked more on his character than his athletic prowess.

When he was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, the same strength that made him a star running back reemerged. Rather than hiding away or quietly retreating from public life, Goode chose to fight publicly. He founded the Goode Foundation, dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for ALS research. Over the years, he’s spoken at numerous events, appeared in documentaries, and helped inspire countless others battling the same disease.

Though ALS has confined him to a wheelchair and taken away most of his physical voice, Goode’s spirit continues to speak louder than ever. Every post he shares is a lesson in resilience. Every image he shares from a hospital bed or fundraiser is a visual of courage. And every word from his keyboard, typed painstakingly and shared with the world, is a reminder of what it means to never give up.

Coach Saban’s message this week wasn’t simply a kind birthday gesture; it was a statement of legacy. It was a reminder that Alabama football, as dominant and demanding as it is on the field, is also a family. It was a rare look into the softer, deeply human side of one of college football’s most stoic figures — a coach who has built his reputation on toughness but clearly understands the value of tenderness.

For Goode, it was more than a message. It was validation. Validation that his journey, his fight, and his life matter. In a world often obsessed with stats and scoreboards, this was a moment about the soul of sports — the relationships, the shared memories, and the quiet heroes who endure.

“I watched it over and over again,” Goode wrote in another follow-up post. “Not just because it was Coach Saban, but because it reminded me of everything I’ve been part of. Everything I still am.”

While his body may no longer allow him to walk or speak as he once did, Kerry Goode remains an unstoppable force in the Alabama community. Each birthday is another victory. Each message of support, especially from icons like Nick Saban, is another trophy on the shelf of a life that continues to inspire far beyond the gridiron.

ALS has no cure. It continues to claim the lives of thousands every year. But in Kerry Goode, it has met a man who refuses to be defined by his diagnosis. In Nick Saban, he has an ally who understands that leadership is not just about wins, but about showing up — in moments that matter most.

As Goode embarks on his 60th year, he does so with a nation of Alabama faithful behind him. He does so with memories of past glory and a determination to create new meaning each day. He does so having received a birthday message from the most successful college coach of his era, one that acknowledged not just the years he’s lived but the courage with which he lives them.

And perhaps most of all, Kerry Goode enters this new chapter not just as a former star, but as a current hero — one who continues to teach the world how to fight, how to love, and how to live with purpose even when every breath is hard-earned.