Former Alabama running back Kerry Goode received a heartfelt birthday message from legendary coach Nick Saban this week. Goode, who played for Alabama from 1983 to 1987 and had a brief stint in the NFL, celebrated his 60th birthday on Monday. Since being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2015 a debilitating and incurable neurodegenerative disease Goode has been confined to a wheelchair and now speaks only in a whisper.
On Thursday, he shared a video message from Saban on social media, saying the greeting “meant the world to me.”
In the message, Saban said:
“Kerry, I just want to wish you a happy birthday and commend you on your battle with ALS, and how you’ve conquered it and really set an example to provide hope for so many people. Also, what you’ve done in the community to help others is something that we certainly appreciate more than you know. So, again, happy birthday and Roll Tide.”
Here’s the video:
Goode was one of four brothers to play at Alabama between 1983 and 1991. He showed early promise but suffered a major knee injury in a 1984 game against Boston College, sidelining him for that season and much of the next. Though he returned for two more seasons, the injury had a lasting impact on his performance. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1988 and played just 15 games over two seasons before retiring at 24.
Goode was diagnosed with ALS at 50 and now runs the Goode Foundation with his wife Tanja and family, working to raise awareness and find a cure. In 2022, he was honored with the Paul W. Bryant Alumni Athlete Award during Alabama’s opener against Utah State at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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