Alabama Suspends Four Arrested Players

February 12th, 2013 03:16 PM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Schools: Alabama
Tags: Alabama, CIA, Tyler Hayes, UA

The University of Alabama has released a new statement — this one from head coach Nick Saban — that fails to deliver the justice at least two of the four players arrested yesterday deserve.

For those who haven’t been keeping up, Alabama freshman footballers Tyler Hayes, DJ Pettway, and Eddie Williams have been charged with second degree robbery of two fellow UA students. Both students were assaulted and beaten. The arrest reports show that Hayes and Williams admitted their involvement to police. If true, they should be booted immediately.

But they will not be:

“The young men charged are indefinitely suspended as we continue to gather information and talk to the appropriate people. The University and football program have strict guidelines regarding issues of this magnitude. This behavior is unacceptable for any student-athlete at the University of Alabama and not representative of our football program.”

Unfortunately, yes, it is representative of Alabama’s football program so long as those players — especially the two who reportedly confessed to police — are members of the Crimson Tide football program. There’s really no other way to put it. If two players admit to beating and robbing two UA students yet they are allowed to remain on the football team as representatives of the school, their deeds are indeed representative of the team.

If Saban, AD Mal Moore, and the Alabama administration don’t want these people representing their football team or the school, the rather simple solution is to show them the exit.

These are serious issues. This isn’t some underage kid drinking a beer in front of campus police. This isn’t a player with a blunt in his glove compartment. This isn’t a freshman driving with a suspended license. These were violent crimes that left at least one student unconscious. Nothing more needs to be said.

If Hayes and Williams confessed, they should be gone. If it’s proven Pettway took part in this, he should be dismissed just as coolly.

The fourth player involved in all of this — freshman Brent Calloway — has been charged with using a credit card stolen from one of his teammates’ two victims. He claimed via Twitter that “it wasn’t a credit card” and that he “wasn’t even awake during the robbery.” If there’s a player who might deserve a second chance on Saban’s team it’s Calloway. But Calloway was himself arrested on possession of marijuana charges in 2011. Whether two strikes constitute an out at Alabama is yet to be determined.

What we do know is that several strikes from players’ fists and feet to their fellow students’ heads and bodies do not.

SIDENOTE – Perhaps Alabama’s decision not to dismiss the players — at least not yet — will put to rest the batty notion that Saban somehow knew these robberies were going to be committed and was counting on them to allow him to do some roster-purging. Hell, the CIA couldn’t pull off such a conspiracy. That’s “Zero Dark Nutty.”

« MSU’s Ray On Steele’s Suspension: He’s Screwing His Team

Thought Of The Day – 2/13/13 »

40 comments

Newest | Oldest

TBfromWoolly

Like I said... due process. If institutions did not responsibly handle situations like these they could potentially become the targets of lawsuits. Some of these players played a larger role in this fiasco, and one of them may not have played a role at all. They have all obtained lawyers so the information will not come out as to exactly who did what until the hearings take place. The people in charge understand that a certain amount of due diligence is necessary in situations like these. You cant permanently dismiss all four until you have all the facts, and have covered all your bases. When the truth has all come out, and it is understood what each individuals role was then you will see quick and swift justice.

Williams, Tyler Hayes and D.J. Pettway have been interim suspended from the university and barred from campus pending a UA judicial review expected to be completed by the end of next week, said Deborah Lane, University of Alabama assistant vice president of university relations, in a statement Thursday.

[url]http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/02/eddie_williams_granted_permiss.html[/url]

gregpomeroy1

John, how are these players representative of Alabama football when they aren't on the team? They're suspended, indefinitely OFF the team.

John at MrSEC moderator

@gregpomeroy1

Ah, one of the gents who emailed me after my appearance on WJOX in Birmingham last month.

(Some backstory for the rest of you: A few weeks ago I was on that station and I literally spent 9 of 10 minutes praising Nick Saban. The other minute was spent trying to tell the show's hosts that while there were many things to brag about in Tuscaloosa, being crime-free wasn't one of them because kids do dumb things. The crime-free thing could change at any moment. The fellow leaving this comment, along with four or five others, took the time to email me after my quickie appearance on that show to tell me that I didn't understand the kind of program Saban is running. I was told that there would be no criminal acts committed on his watch.

Mr. Pomeroy as I recall suggested I listen to some clips of the Paul Finebaum show so I could better understand how Saban controls his players and keeps them living right.)

Needless to say, Greg, I'm not surprised to see that you did NOT come here to say: "Boy, you were right and I was wrong. This kind of stuff CAN happen anywhere." Nope, as suspected, you came to imply that I'm being unfair to suggest that members of Alabama's football team are representatives of that team while... still... ON... that football team.

Personally, if Bama wants to keep these guys on the team, more power to 'em. This wouldn't be the first school to look the other way when four- or five-star recruits beat some poor schlub (or schlubs) to a pulp. But if it were me, those who had already confessed to the crimes would be gone.

And I'd say the same regardless of the player, the coach, or the school. Matter of fact, I have. Many times.

John

aubieman2002

@gregpomeroy1Until they are removed from the team they are still part of the team. You come back from suspensions you don't come back from being kicked off the team.

I4Bama

Two things:

If true, I hope all four turn in their crimson jerseys.

I have been involved in many situations where people wish to pass quick and wieghty judgment based on less than half the facts. If you think Saban will put up with such behavior as what has been alleged, you are mistaken. Even with a confession, though, things are not always as they seem. Things are very complex much, much more often than they are cut and dried, especially at a large instution like Alabama, even when your heart's desire is to do what is right, just, and fair. With the acknowledgement that I have none of the facts, I predict that all four will be somewhere other than Tuscaloosa within three weeks. IF the facts are as presented, we should leave their stuff on the curb and change the locks.

John at MrSEC moderator

@I4Bama

I'm fine with your take.

But I believe a confession -- so long as it was not coerced by UA campus police through the use of waterboarding -- is pretty hard to get around. And as I stated in the story, a violent crime is a whole different level of crime in my book. This wasn't just a theft and it wasn't just a frat party fight. The police reports read as much more serious than that.

Still, you have a rational take and I appreciate you reading the site and responding without putting words in my mouth.

John

sojourner

1 Like

considering the magnitude of the charges, these men have a lot more to be concerned about than the loss of a scholarship. but before breaking out the lynch rope, everyone needs to settle down and let the process run its course. that is not the same as letting these men escape justice. if they are guilty, justice will be done. that might not be as satisfying as a good, quick lynching, but it will protect the university's reputation.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

It's not a lynching to throw two players who confessed to a violent crime off of a football team. It's not even close.

Violent crime in my book means you wouldn't be representing my university if I were coach, AD or president. And a confession means you're guilty.

John

sojourner

@John at MrSEC

"and a confession means you're guilty."

well, glory hallelluah! lets just bring back the rack and the iron maiden and break out the water boards. fire all the judiciary and lay off the investigators. rope is so much cheaper and quicker. thanks for enlightening me.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

First, I didn't realize I had been "bawling." If you could point me to the sentences I've written that equate to bawling, I'd be interested to see them. I thought I'd just stated my opinion that those two players should be -- and then should have been -- dismissed quickly.

Second, I did read the police reports and they stated exactly which players admitted to what actions.

Third, if your saying a UA investigation is all the due process that's needed, I must ask why you suggested I'm against the notion of someone being "innocent until proven guilty." By legal definition, that would require a court case to be held. If not, then you're simply arguing with me -- in an ugly fashion that accused me of calling for a lynching -- over the exact timing of a dismissal.

In my view, the proper time would be once those players confessed to the police that they beat two men and robbed them. In your view, Alabama needs to put forth some sort of added investigation -- how long should it be, who should do the investigating, who's statements should be taken, would the victims get to speak, would police -- before dismissing the players. Either way, we're both stating that UA should dismiss the players before their court case and before due process plays out if they feel they're guilty. You just need more proof of guilt than a pair of confessions to police.

Sadly, if your disagreements with me hinge on timing and the amount of evidence needed to declare guilt, it's even more disappointing that you came here and angrily suggested that I was looking to "lynch" someone. Because if you're saying UA should make a move before the due process of the court system plays out, someone in favor of letting the court system handle this could claim YOU were trying to "lynch" these players and that YOU weren't in favor of true due process and that YOU have no use for the notion of "innocent until proven guilty."

The bottom line on all this is as follows -- until these players are dismissed from UA's football team OR found innocent of these accusations -- this will continue to bring negative publicity to the Crimson Tide program. And if I were a steward of UA football or the university as a whole, I'd be for stopping that as soon as possible.

John

sojourner

@John at MrSEC

we're apparently on different wave lengths. the players are suspended. i agree with that. i suppose the university will conduct its own investigation and once convinced that they are guilty, the players will be expelled. i have no problem with that. what i do have a problem with is somebody bawling for a hang rope on the basis of confessions they've never read or seen.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

Yes. That's why I initially wrote that I disagreed with the university's position.

Still, I'll expect you to return and UA officials if they dismiss these players before they go to trial. Confessions don't work... due process must be carried out.

We'll see if UA waits that long.

John

sojourner

@John at MrSEC

from the way the university is handling the situation, its pretty obvious they're closer to my position than yours.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

Ah. I didn't realize the University of Alabama would lose its dignity by dismissing players from its football team.

But if it's due process and "innocent until proven guilty" that you're after, I can only assume that you believe these players -- including the two who've already confessed to the crimes -- as well as all other arrested/accused players at all other schools be allowed to stay on their given teams until their court cases have been heard and judgements rendered.

That really is a quaint notion. So I'll expect you to return here to complain each and every time a school dismisses a player before his case goes to trial and before a jury or judge hands down a verdict.

Of course, outside of your proposed athletic utopia, such practices aren't often followed. I've worked at a number of television stations during my career. If I had been arrested for beating and robbing two people and if I'd admitted my guilt to the police, I would have been fired for bringing negative attention to any one of those stations. In your vision, guilty or not, I suppose I would remain in my job until my case went to trial and until I was deemed innocent or guilty by a court of law. Sounds good. Under this scenario a confession means nothing.

I like it.

So I'll see you right back here to chastise the next university that dismisses a player before due process has been carried out.

Consider me enlightened.

John

sojourner

@John at MrSEC

look at my first post. i'm not suggesting that these players escape just punishment. all i suggested was that the university retain its dignity by affording them something called due process. that might be a quaint notion in some places as is the idea that one is considered innocent until proven guilty.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

You say I fail to grasp the situation and that I'm calling for a lynching.

Please, explain to me why Alabama should not have dismissed two players who have confessed to police that they robbed and beat two fellow students into unconsciousness. Again, those two players have confessed to the crimes we're discussing.

You have the floor, explain to us all why UA officials are correct to keep those players on the football team.

Thanks,

John

sojourner

@John at MrSEC

considering your grasp of the situation, i'd have to agree.

John at MrSEC moderator

@sojourner

I'm afraid some people are too dim to be enlightened.

John

JBintley

My Lord... a Vandy fan who has no vested interest in the matter thinks Mr. Pennington's gone a little overboard, and that his Internet soapbox has gone a little bit to his head. Apparently, "due process" is more of a suggestion that a law.

For all the whining this site does about the pace of the media - just the "other guys," right, John? - it's more than a little ironic that you seem to want these young men's heads less than 48 hours after the alleged incident took place.

Personally, I'm pretty sure they'll be found guilty after the evidence is read. AFTER, of course, being the key word here. The truth doesn't have an expiration date.

John at MrSEC moderator

@JBintley

Obviously, you don't know what "due process" is. It's a legal term. And if I had called for these four players to be thrown in jail forever without a trial and without being given all of their legal rights, then due process might have applied.

But I didn't.

And it doesn't.

"For all the whining this site does about the pace of the media -- just the "other guys," right, John? -- it's more than a little ironic that you seem to want these young men's head less than 48 hours after the alleged incident took place."

This line bothers me because either a) you can't comprehend what I've written here over the years, b) you just pick and choose which of my words you want to read, or c) you simply want to lie and misrepresent what I've written over the years. Because when I've called out the media over the past five years, I've been very quick to say that I AM the media. This site is part of the media. And we -- see that again? -- WE could all do a better job.

However, when two players confess to police that they beat and robbed two different students that's no longer an "alleged incident." They confessed. And if it's true that they confessed -- words you ignored in the actual story apparently -- then these two should get an automatic heave-ho.

But if you want them on your favy-wavy team, that's A-OK by me.

John

CaseyMc49

1 Like

The best thing to do is just what John Pennington said should be done and that is to dimiss them. It is time these Players start owning up to what they do when they do it. If that was any one of our Kid's there would be no 2nd or 3rd strikes. The other thing is, who paid these Bonds? I wonder if Mr Saban paid them or did the School pay them? Isnt that against NCAA Rules for Money to be given to the Players for any expense? Here you read them for your self.

Eddie Williams, a freshman from Panama City, has practiced at both safety and wide receiver. He faces the most serious charges, having been arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, in addition to second degree robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card. Williams was released on Monday on a $65,000 bond.

Freshman linebacker Tyler Hayes was charged with second degree robbery and was released on a $60,000 bond.

Redshirt freshman defensive end D.J. Pettway was also charged with second degree robbery and released on a $60,000 bond. .

Redshirt freshman H-back Brent Calloway has, as we’ve noted, been in trouble before. He was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, and released on a $5,000 bond.

Here is the Link for you to read for yourself. http://bamahammer.com/2013/02/12/alabama-football-players-arrested-what-does-it-mean-for-the-players-and-team/

AllTideUp

2 Like

I agree that it's too early to criticize Bama at this point. The administration would not want to make a decision so quickly that could backfire on them later if it turns out that certain details currently being reported aren't totally accurate. If these guys did what they are accused of doing then they should be gone, no question about that and I would be ashamed to have them still on the team. With that said, this all broke today. No reason to assume justice won't be done with a reasonable amount of time.

Brad_ATX

1 Like

1) Due process is for the legal system. Playing at a university on scholarship is a privilege, not a right.

2) What exactly needs to be confirmed regarding the two players who admitted to the crimes?

mowens75

@Brad_ATX

are you kidding? It's been a day. So everytime something like this happens a coach should come out that day and announce the kid is kicked off the team? REALLY? Let's just let it all be told and let him handle it. Geez....I know several fans are just waiting to bash the man, but not on this. He will do the right thing, but you might not get an answer today. I love it when you're the best at whatever you do and instead of folks trying to beat you on the field they instead try to find a backdoor way to take you down. Jealousy at its finest.

John at MrSEC moderator

@mowens75 @Brad_ATX

In my view, when a violent crime is committed and confessed to, yes, a coach should immediately boot said player from his team.

"I love it when you're the best at whatever you do and instead of folks trying to beat you on the field they instead try to find a backdoor way to take you down."

Yeesh.

Yes, because kicking a pair of reserves off Bama's team -- even four if all four players are found guilty -- would really stop the machine that Nick Saban's built. The loss of Eddie Williams would spell doom for the Tide.

If this were Auburn, I wonder how many Alabama fans would be asking for due process and claiming that folks are just jealous of the Tigers. Oh, wait. None. When I wrote that Cam Newton was innocent until proven guilty of having taken money I was absolutely blasted by Tide fans. (And before you say it, if Newton had beaten a fellow student to the point of unconsciousness and then confessed his crime to police, I'd have called on AU to boot him immediately.)

John

Brad_ATX

@mowens75 Dude, this has nothing to do with "trying to take you down." It has everything to do with setting an example as an adult. And to be fair, you never actually answered my question about why someone needs to wait to pass judgement when the players admitted to the police what happened in detail. Go read the police reports.

mowens75

@Brad_ATX Yes they admitted to it, but again it's been a day. It will happen. Remember these are young men and Saban basically is in most cases the father figure. Families don't just say you're gone without talking to them first. If something is not done by the end of the week I will agree with you 100%, but just give a little time.

TBfromWoolly

Its called due process, Mr. Pennington. Surely you have heard of it before correct ? CNS nor UA are entitled to strip these idiots of their rights. They have been suspended until the investigation has run its course, and then they will be gone indefinitely. Crack a book sometime, bro... how could you seriously be unaware of due process ? Or maybe you were looking to stir the pot to get some attention ? (I am not sure which truth would be more embarrassing) CNS is a helluva man that does a lot of good for a lot of people. I have never understood the people that try to smear his name somehow. CNS will handle this appropriately.

John at MrSEC moderator

@TBfromWoolly

Due process is a legal term. And what I've written has exactly zero to do with our legal system. In fact, I said I'm all for second chances and I hope these young men get the opportunity to turn their lives around. But in the case of the two players who reportedly confessed to robbing two students, beating both of them, and leaving one unconscious, they can be booted from a football team immediately. American citizens have a right to due process. They do not have a right to wear a sports uniform and represent a university. That's a privilege.

The key here is the confession. Which is why I referred to those two players -- not all four -- and why I used those important words "if true." Words you apparently chose to ignore.

But you're taking this as an attack on Nick Saban because you like him. Fine.

When I write that Nick Saban is the best coach in college football -- and I've been writing that for five years now, thank you -- fans of other schools say I love him. When I write that he and the Alabama administration should boot these guys if they've confessed to these crimes, Alabama fans say I must hate him.

Some people are so incapable of objectivity that they believe one must love or hate someone 100%. Well, I don't love Nick Saban or any other coach or player in the SEC. I don't hate them either. So I'll tell you when I think they're right and when I think they're wrong.

And I'll continue to do so until I finally lose interest and chuck my laptop out a window.

John

SECHog3

@TBfromWoolly

Due Process? Investigation?

Did you tell the truth when you admitted doing it? Yes. Adios scum bag.

How long does that take? Certainly not days. This is college football, not our legal system. You don't have the "right" to play football when you disparage your team. But then I probably don't know how things are done at Alabama.

mowens75

@SECHog3 @TBfromWoolly Probably not much diffenent than in Arkansas. I think you guys have had some issues with the police lately and hired a coach who owed millions of dollars to others. Again....I'm sure it will be dealt with very very soon.

AllTideUp

@SECHog3 @TBfromWoolly @GeoffDawg

Whether 'due process' is applicable or not, due diligence certainly is. For one, you all seem to think that Saban has the final word here. If these guys did what they are accused of doing then they are facing more severe punishment from the University itself than whether or not they get to play football. They'll be expelled if they're guilty, but UA needs to do their due diligence before they cast them out. If there is more to the story than what has been reported then the University lines themselves up for a potential lawsuit.

It's not as if "indefinite suspension" by UA within 48 hours is some sort of declaration of innocence even though some of you want to make it out that way. I really don't understand the rush to judgement.

John at MrSEC moderator

@AllTideUp @SECHog3 @TBfromWoolly @GeoffDawg

Just want to make it clear that I didn't write that Nick Saban has the final word in this case. (And I know you didn't write that I did, but since this is under my story, it might be taken that way.) In fact, I wrote that if Saban, Mal Moore and the Alabama administration don't want these guys representing their school and their football team they -- plural -- could boot 'em.

As for the rush to judgement, again, if the two players I said needed to be dismissed did confess to police that they committed these crimes, there's no other judgement needed. They confessed. Guilty. Done. Case closed.

Alabama chose not to give them the heave-ho which makes me wonder if they really confessed or if they've decided to try and walk back their confessions. Either way, this will continue to be in the news as long as Alabama chooses to keep them around.

As suggested, if I were the coach or the AD or the school president, I wouldn't want that bad publicity and I certainly wouldn't want guys involved in beating two students and robbing them anywhere near my football team or my campus.

Just me, I guess.

John

AllTideUp

@bigreb

What lynch mob have I led?

bigreb

@AllTideUp @SECHog3 @TBfromWoolly @GeoffDawg Funny how when it is YOUR team we all need to follow due process, blah, blah, blah..But when it is another team you are leading the lynch mob.

GeoffDawg

@TBfromWoolly It's more than a little ironic that you're condescendingly telling someone else to crack a book "bro" when you're applying a term reserved for our judicial system to the administration of a football team. The HC or AD can kick players out of the program at their discretion for behaviors they deem detrimental to their purpose and mission and out of line with their values. Confessions of a beating and robbery would be sufficient for these purposes should they choose to follow through.

mowens75

ok...give it some time. These guys will be gone. Just all coming out and the University has suspended them. The rest of the punishment will come once all is conformed. Stop looking for away to make Bama look bad.

John at MrSEC moderator

@mowens75

I wasn't "looking for away to make Bama look bad." I'm writing about players arrested for a violent crime. The same way I have every other time an SEC player has been arrested for a violent crime over the past five years.

John

mowens75

@John at MrSECI don't agree with what you're saying completely, but I'm sure a lot of Bama fans would say the same thing if this happeded to Auburn. I would not. I just think Saban and the University both came out very quick on this and said that they would handle this. Again I will say if they are not kicked off the team then I will be right with you, but just not understanding why it had to be day one. So guess we will just disagree on this one. By the way....I do appreciate your articles and this website. Just not agreeing on this one.Thanks

John at MrSEC moderator

@mowens75

No worries. I just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't smearing Alabama. This is one issue that I feel the school should have handled more forcefully due to the fact that two players confessed to a violent crime. I knew some people would disagree with that. I have no problem with disagreement.

I do have a problem when people ignore the words I write, imagine words I do not write, try to misrepresent my meaning, or accuse me of some nonexistent bias. That gets old, that's unfair, and that usually draws a response.

With your post, again, I just wanted to make it clear this had nothing to do with trying to make the University of Alabama or its football team look bad.

Many thanks for reading the site. It's appreciated,

John

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Homepage . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.