After Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin's public approval of the school's cancellation of a white nationalist rally, Paul Finebaum explains why he thinks college players will get involved in social causes. (1:32)

Finebaum: Very likely college players get involved in social causes (1:32)

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin praised the school's decision to cancel an on-campus white nationalist rally scheduled for next month, saying he is "proud" of university leadership.

Sumlin addressed reporters Saturday for the first time since Texas A&M called off the "White Lives Matter" rally on Monday, citing a "major security risk."

"I'm really proud of [the school's decision]," Sumlin said. "I was thankful and very, very proud of Chancellor [John] Sharp and our president to put an end to it."

Preston Wiginton, who is a former Texas A&M student, organized the rally for Sept. 11. He said he was inspired by last weekend's white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a vehicle plowed into a group of counterprotesters, killing one and injuring 19.

Wiginton said he had invited prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer to address the rally. Spencer spoke at an A&M event in December, when he was met by hundreds of protesters, many of whom gathered at Kyle Field football stadium.

"[This is a time] when leadership comes to the front, and our leadership did that," Sumlin said. "We've talked about that as a team too, and our appreciation for our leadership to step in. It's big for the players, big for our coaching staff -- it's big for everybody."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.