The Alabama football locker room has something of a tradition when it’s time to celebrate a birthday.

It’s not quite the reward one might expect and that’s what made Crimson Tide linebacker Henry To’o To’o’s response to how they’ll celebrate Nick Saban’s 71st a funny one.

“Dunk him in the cold tub,” the senior said before quickly changing course. “No, I’m playing. That’s not going to go well.”

Follow any Alabama player on social media and you’ll see what To’o To’o means. Teammates regularly overwhelm a birthday boy, grab him by the arms and ankles and lead them to the cold tub next to the locker room. They’ll count to three, swing their teammate back and forth before launching them into the frosty water.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s the GOAT,” quarterback Bryce Young said. “If he doesn’t want to go in the cold tub, that’s fine. He’s definitely exempt from that.”

Young was also quick to point out he’s not a member of the “cold tub committee.” That’s more safety Jordan Battle’s realm, he said.

More realistically, To’o To’o said they’ll probably sing him the happy birthday song before hitting the practice field Monday afternoon.

“Coach is strictly business so I don’t think he sees this as his birthday,” To’o To’o said. “I’m not going to lie.”

Down in Baton Rouge, LSU coach Brian Kelly opened his Monday news conference by sending his best to Tuscaloosa.

“It’s Nick Saban’s birthday, so I want to wish him a happy birthday,” Kelly was quoted as saying by reporters in the room. “… maybe that’ll soften things up.”

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.