Former Alabama Coach Nick Saban has released a statement on the eve of this week’s union election at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Tuscaloosa County, saying some comments of his have been used without his approval in support of the union.

Saban said he does not endorse the union and has asked that ads featuring his words be pulled.

“I recently learned the United Autoworkers (UAW) union has taken the liberty of featuring my comments in advertisements released as part of its campaign to organize workers at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI),” Saban said.

“Not only were these comments taken entirely out of context, they were also being used without my knowledge or permission,” Saban said.

“I do not personally endorse the UAW or its campaign and have asked the UAW to remove any advertisements featuring me from circulation. I encourage all Team Members to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election,” the former Alabama football coach’s statement read.

Next week’s vote will begin on Monday, with final results due on Friday.

Saban’s comments refer to commercials using his past comments on unions for college football players, made in interviews over the last year. The comments are intercut with images of Saban and auto workers.

“It never scares me that people are organized. General Motors and the automotive industry has had unions for a long time, and they’ve survived, fairly well I think. There’s been a lot of businesses that have been successful and worked with unions for many, many years. So I’m not anti-union. Unionize it, make it like the NFL.”

“Alabama workers win with the union,” an announcer reads as the commercial closes. It ends with the website for More Perfect Union Solidarity, a pro-labor group that has begun airing television commercials in support of the UAW featuring former Alabama great Antonio Langham.

A representative for the University of Alabama stated that Saban’s comments were made by him as a private citizen and not as a representative of the school.

Attempts to contact the UAW for comment were not immediately successful.

Saban is no stranger to the auto plant, having given talks to employees on several occasions over the years.In February, Mercedes-Benz hosted an employee event featuring Saban that the company stated was in recognition of his career as the Alabama coach.

“Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) has a long-standing relationship with Nick Saban and he has visited MBUSI numerous times throughout his time as Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide to offer his insights on leadership and team performance,” the company’s statement at the time read.

“Shortly after his retirement announcement in January, we invited him again to speak to our Team Members. We are honoring his retirement and incredible success as the Football Coach for the University of Alabama, while thanking him for his motivational words over the years and for his impact on the community.”

Saban also owns seven Mercedes-Benz dealerships through his Dream Motor Group, with locations in Alabama, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana.

When asked about it last year, Saban said he is mostly hands-off in the car business, leaving much of the heavy-lifting to Dream Motor Group CEO Joe Agresti.