Alabama football head coach Nick Saban brought disgraced baseball player Pete Rose to Tuscaloosa during preseason camp, according to a social media post from Fiterman Sports, which represents Rose. The post shows UA’s jet in a hangar.

The Crimson Tide later shared photos of Rose speaking to the team and Saban.

“Thank you, Pete Rose for stopping by and talking with the team,” Alabama’s social media post read.

Saban had been asked about his speakers for 2023′s camp. The coach typically brings in serious of individuals to address his team, with highlights of past years including Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps and Ray Lewis.

When asked about this year’s speakers, Saban said gambling was one of the issues he wanted to address with the team.

“We try to get the best speakers that we possibly can that address issues that we’re facing in college football,” Saban said. “As well as people who can help create a mindset that’s going to help you be more consistent so that you can get the results that you want relative to the commitments that you make. So I think we have a really good blend of all those types of people.”

Rose was Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in hits for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos during his career. He later was a manager for the Reds, before being permanently banned from baseball for betting on games.

In ensuing years, Rose has tried to convince various MLB commissioners to reinstate him so he can be eligible for the game’s hall of fame. His efforts have thus far been to no avail.

Gambling in college sports has become a more visible issue over the past year, in part due to another UA program. Crimson Tide baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after alleged involvement in gambling, with reports that he was feeding insider information to Bert Neff, who was attempting to bet on Alabama’s game against LSU.

Ironically, the bettor Bohannon was allegedly speaking with was attempting to place a wager at Great American Ballpark, home of the Reds, which is located near Pete Rose Way in Cincinnati.