Alabama says it has identified and “taken appropriate action” against the fan caught on video shoving Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson after Saturday night’s game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
In a statement sent to AL.com on Thursday, Alabama athletics addressed the incident after clips began circulating on social media.
“Alabama has identified and taken appropriate action against the individual involved in videos circulating on social media following Saturday night’s football game,” Alabama athletics said in the statement to AL.com. “We take matters of this nature seriously and will not tolerate this behavior.”
The video showed the fan heckling Wilson, smacking his helmet and then pushing it while yelling, “Let’s go boy. Let’s go boy. Get the f--ck out of here.”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked about the exchange Monday during his press conference and pointed to Wilson’s response.
“You want people to make good decisions and do things the right way,” Smart said. “Raylen certainly did there.
There’s so much that goes into that. He thought it was a Georgia fan.
Probably helped him react the way he did initially. Disappointing behavior by any fan.
Certainly nothing we condone and I’m sure Alabama doesn’t condone it either.
The postgame scene also included trash being thrown onto the field, with water bottles and beer cans among the items. A public address announcer urged fans to stop, but the behavior continued and Georgia players ended up keeping their helmets on as they walked off the field.
Alabama athletics had already released a statement Sunday saying it was gathering information about the conduct.
“We are disappointed by the unacceptable behavior exhibited by some of the game’s attendees last night and are in the process of gathering information,” UA athletics said in the statement. “Alabama takes matters of fan conduct seriously and expects everyone at our events to demonstrate respect to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials and visitors. Such conduct will not be tolerated.”
In Other News...
Alabama Sent A Strong Message After That Ugly Georgia Incident
The aftermath of Alabamas game with Georgia turned ugly for reasons that had nothing to do with the scoreboard. A video circulating after the contest showed an Alabama fan slapping Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson across the helmet, a moment that quickly drew attention for all the wrong reasons and put the program in the spotlight beyond the field.
Alabama athletics moved fast once the individual was identified, handing down a lifetime ban from future Alabama sporting events. The school also publicly addressed the incident, making clear that conduct like that will not be tolerated, a message meant as much for the fan base as anyone else watching what has become an increasingly scrutinized sideline and stadium atmosphere. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Is Testing How Real Its Auburn Flip Push Really Is
Alabamas 2027 class is already taking shape with 15 commitments, and the current ranking sits 34th nationally as the staff leans into a smaller haul after back-to-back large classes. The Tide still have work to do up front, though, especially on the defensive line, where theyre continuing to circle a couple of targets who could change the look of the group before the cycle settles in.
One of the more interesting names is Auburn commit MJ Evans, whose scheduled visit to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 24 will offer a real gauge of how serious Alabamas push has become. The Tide are also involved with former Memphis commit Joshua Lane, who has visits lined up for Alabama and Tennessee, giving this next stretch a chance to shape whether the class stays compact or gets a late boost from a few key additions. [Read more 🡒]
Sabans Coaching Influence Just Showed Up In An Unlikely Alabama Story
Ryder Burtons latest moment in the spotlight came in a place Alabama fans dont always expect to be looking, with UABs quarterback helping guide the Blazers to a 30-17 overtime win against East Carolina. Burtons night included a 97-yard touchdown drive to force overtime, but it was his postgame comments and the little details around the game that linked the story back to Tuscaloosa in an unexpected way.
Burton also drew attention for wearing a backwards baseball cap during the overtime coin toss after helmet equipment issues, a quirky scene that stood out in a tense finish. Afterward, he talked about coach Alex Mortensen and mentioned watching a documentary tied to Mortensens former coach, Nick Saban, a reminder that Sabans coaching tree still shows up in odd, easy-to-miss places around the state. [Read more 🡒]