Who is College Football’s King of Gift Certificates?

Who is College Football’s King of Gift Certificates?

Nick Saban (University of Alabama) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson): two massive rivals of the game. A rivalry which isn’t all about the competition on the sidelines.

This rivalry has since turned into an exchange of gift certificates.

Saban and Swinney decided to take a bet. The loser of the 2016 College Football National Championship would pay for dinner at a Boca Grande, Florida restaurant during Spring break. A favorite destination for the two, and their families, due to vacation homes in the area.

Who is College Football’s King of Gift Certificates?

The Crimson Tide became the victors. Swinney followed through on the friendly bet. Yet, it didn’t play out for Saban as he expected.

“So we showed up, we walk in, it’s the first time I had seen him, and I said, ‘All right, let’s get it over with.’ But then he gets mad. (He said), ‘Well, I thought we were going to eat together.’ And I was like, ‘Well, I didn’t know if we would be able to work it out, but hey, I don’t want to owe you and here you go.’”

With the gift certificate came a note “See you in Tampa next year.”

The Web went bonkers. Discussions were at a fever pitch across social media with both sides defending their beloved teams. Could Swinney pull off the upset?

The (Literal) Tables have Turned

Through a 35-31 defeat of the Crimson Tide, Saban has returned the favor in the best sportsman-like way: gifting the Clemson coach a certificate to the very same restaurant.

“Absolutely. He paid up on my spring break,” Swinney told Mark Packer on College Sports Today Friday. “His spring break was the week before mine. He got me a really nice dinner certificate to a place called Temptation down in Florida. We had a great – probably the best meal I’ve ever had. It was awesome. We had appetizers and dessert to go with it. It was great. I did have to dip into my pocket for 50 bucks, though, but it was all good.”

The two did not share the meal together due to spring break being a week apart.

The two are friendly off the field. Known to enjoy boating and golfing together. It goes to show there is fun to be had despite the tension and competition.

Going for a Third?

Both teams have lost a few key components and have learned the sting from their upsets. Both Alabama and Clemson appear to be going strong for their next, possible chance at the title.

Could we see another round of gift certificate exchanges?

“It was a heck of a football game. It was just like last year,” Swinney said. “A couple of plays like it was last year. Let’s do it again next year. Rubber match, let’s go.”

It would be quite an interesting practice for rival coaches. To say the least.