Josh Jacobs discusses how Nick Saban readied him for speaking with the media.

The Green Bay Packers Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney are pros at conversing with the media, and their time at Alabama under Nick Saban is a one of the reasons why.

This was proven Thursday when Jacobs and McKinney were both presented the 2024 Tom Mulhern Stand-Up Guy award for their exemplary professionalism, transparency and accessibility with media covering the Packers this season. This accolade is annually voted upon by the Green Bay Professional Football Writers of America. Jacobs credited his media expertise to his time at Alabama under Saban.

“The thing people don’t know is, (Nick) Saban made every freshman take speech to be able to talk to the media,” Jacobs said. “We had to take that class, that was something he made every freshman do. And he also taught us through wins and losses, you’ve still got to be a pro and handle things a certain type of way. And so, I think that’s the thing that’s probably stuck with me the longest. Obviously, y’all got a job to do too so I try to make it easy for everyone.”