WATCH: Will Anderson shouts out Nick Saban using 'rat poison' catchphrase during Scott Van Pelt, ESPN interview

by: Griffin McVeigh 21 hours ago griffin_mcveigh

For the second time in his short career, Will Anderson is advancing in the playoffs. Monday brought a Houston Texans win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Anderson, as usual, played a huge role and disrupted anything Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense attempted to do.

Once celebrations died down, Anderson made his way back onto the field for an interview with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. A question popped up about playing for DeMeco Ryans , wondering what one of the coach’s main messages is. Anderson then turned back the vault a little bit, saying Ryan may have picked something up from Nick Saban .

“It’s not taking the rat poison, not taking the rat poison,” Anderson said on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt . “Coach Saban, if you see this, we’re not taking the rat poison, Coach. We’re not taking the rat poison.”

“Coach Saban if you see this … we’re not taking the rat poison.”

Will Anderson Jr. quoting Nick Saban after the Texans’ playoff win.@AlabamaFTBL | @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/KPO61hdFIT

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 13, 2026

Saban made the term “rat poison” famous during his time at Alabama . Basically, when somebody is speaking highly of you, letting that thought continually enter your mind is overall bad. Staying humble and to the process was Saban’s goal, hoping the same trickled down throughout his teams.

Anderson played in Tuscaloosa for three seasons, winning a national championship. His numbers under Saban are gaudy, as an instant impact was made as a true freshman. There have been plenty of elite defensive players to come through Alabama — Ryans included — but Anderson is certainly up there with one of the best all-time.

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