Pat McAfee exclaimed, “I’m on Bama.”

That was the ESPN analyst’s reaction when Nick Saban gifted him an Alabama T-shirt with his name on the back during the Crimson Tide coach’s weekly appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.”

The shirt, Saban said, is because, “We have a tremendous amount of respect for you. This show has been great for us.”

McAfee, in his usual up-tempo way, was excited about the gesture.

“I’m on Bama,” he exclaimed. “I’m on Bama? Is that a scholarship? I have a scholarship to Bama?”

That’s when Saban took the opportunity to have some fun with the current climate of college athletics.

“Is that all you want is a scholarship?” Saban joked. “I mean you don’t want any name, image and likeness deal to go with it?”

McAfee played along, saying he wanted $5,000 the next time he goes to Tuscaloosa, but he doesn’t want photo shoots.

The money reference was to Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith stating last month to the U.S. House of Representatives it has become a “practice” by recruits to request $5 thousand from a school in order to secure just a visit.

On Wednesday, the NCAA sent out a release indicating that it will propose new legislation that would ban recruits who are not on official visits from taking part in photoshoots conducted by the program’s recruiting department.

All kidding aside, both McAfee and Saban appreciate the weekly segment.

“Alabama’s been incredibly hospitable to us,” McAfee explained. “You’ve been amazing for us. We can’t tell you how big an honor it is to get to chat with you. I appreciate you guys looking out for us.”

Saban admitted he has fun doing the show.

“I enjoy this, too, because you guys are all football people,” Saban said. “You ask football-related questions because you all played. You’ve bee there and done that. I appreciate that. It’s fun for me.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.