Grant family loves all sports, especially football

March 30, 2009

By Ken Rogers

Anthony Grant is an impressive guy who made a terrific first impression as Alabama’s basketball coach Sunday night.

I like the fact that the first people he recognized during his opening statement – besides his new bosses at Alabama and his former bosses at Virginia Commonwealth – were his family.

He joked that his wife, Christina, is the decision-maker of the group. They have four children. The oldest, Anthony Jr., recently turned 13. The Grants have three sons – Anthony Jr., Preston and Makai – and a daughter, Jayda.

“I think without my wife none of this would be possible,” Grant said. “I think we all know that when things really need to get done, they (wives) are the ones who get it done.”

Christina is a runner who participates in marathons. They are an active, sports-loving family.

“My oldest plays basketball and football,” Grant said. “He says he’s going to play in the NFL on weekends, the NBA during the week and fly jets in his free time. I told coach Saban, when we had a conversation on the phone, I said, ‘Coach, my whole household plays football. They all love it, but maybe the best football prospect is my daughter, Jayda.’ She played flag football this past year and she averaged about 50 yards per carry. They all want to play running back. They think they can all do what she does.”

Grant knew he struck a chord when he discussed his love of college football.

“I am a Nick Saban fan,” the coach said. “I I love college football.  When my son saw the stadium his eyes lit up. I think he was more excited when he saw the football stadium than he was when he saw the basketball stadium.”