ESPN brought actor and comedian Shane Gillis onto their “GameDay” broadcast Friday night ahead of the Notre Dame-Indiana College Football Playoff game in South Bend, Indiana, and Gillis delivered a memorable performance that had fans buzzing—and Alabama’s Nick Saban fuming.
Gillis, known for his sharp wit and comedic timing, arrived on set decked out in Notre Dame gear, ready to entertain.
A former college football player himself, Gillis wasted no time diving into the topic of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, cracking jokes about how the new era of college sports has shifted the balance of power.
“There’s some parity. Now that everybody can pay their players, Notre Dame has a shot. It’s not just the SEC, it’s not Coach Saban,” Gillis quipped, taking a lighthearted jab at the longtime Alabama coach and the dominance of SEC programs in college football.
The playful banter escalated later in the broadcast when Gillis appeared on the field at Notre Dame Stadium.
Fellow “GameDay” host Pat McAfee, ever the provocateur, stirred the pot by mentioning that Gillis had previously accused Alabama of cheating. The comment visibly annoyed Saban, but Gillis doubled down, showing no fear of the legendary coach.
“Alabama Jones,” Gillis quipped, referencing Saban’s hat and comparing him to Indiana Jones. The crowd erupted in laughter, but Saban’s reaction was less amused.
Fans on social media immediately noticed the tension and were quick to praise Gillis for his audacious humor. Clips of the interaction began circulating online, with viewers applauding Gillis for taking on one of college football’s most intimidating figures in such a bold and comedic fashion.
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For ESPN, Gillis’ appearance was a calculated move to inject some lightheartedness and unpredictability into the broadcast, and it paid off.
His ability to balance humor with controversy kept the segment entertaining while generating plenty of buzz online.
In the end, Gillis proved he could handle the spotlight and deliver exactly what ESPN had hoped for—a mix of comedy, candor, and a little chaos.
While Saban may not have appreciated the jokes, fans and viewers certainly did, making Gillis’ “GameDay” cameo one of the highlights of the evening.
