Nick Saban has a soft side?

Grandchildren are the reason, according to his wife, Ms. Terry.

The Sabans spent Tuesday handing out talking toy ducks to children with cancer and posing for pictures. Children’s of Alabama hosted a special event for 18 patients. Nick Saban, a spokesman for Aflac, presented the company’s mechanical ducks to each child at the end of a scavenger hunt.

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“I like the thing myself,” Saban told The Associated Press with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind having one myself. You just rub it and it makes little sounds and it makes you feel good. I kind of like that. Sometimes when we’re not stopping them on third down, or we’re having trouble on third down, I might need this thing on the sidelines.”

Terry Saban admitted it was nice to the more relaxed side of her husband out in public.

“I think us having our grandchildren really brought out the softer side of Nick,” Terry Saban said. “To see him on the floor playing with the babies, it really changes who you are. And then to see these children who are having a really tough time, you can’t help but be heartbroken when they come in and then be happy for them when they leave, that maybe you did just one little thing to brighten their day.

“It’s fun to see Nick interact with the children and laugh with them and tickle the duck. It was a great day.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.