A man can only get so many chances in life, and for former Alabama and Georgia defensive linemen Jonathan Taylor he many have reached his final chance to play football. Taylor enrolled at Southeastern Louisiana this week and is expected to join their football team for the 2016 season.
Southeastern Louisiana released a statement addressing Taylor’s addition to the football team.
“While we are aware of past controversies, Jonathan has not been found guilty for the incidents he was accused of that led to his dismissal from his prior institutions,” the statement said. “The Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach have met with Jonathan to outline the expectations of a Southeastern student-athlete.”
Alabama football coach Nick Saban added Taylor to the Crimson Tide roster this past spring, after being released from the Georgia program due to domestic violence. Taylor was added to the roster in February, but was dismissed from the team in March after being charged in another domestic violence case in Tuscaloosa.
Despite all the criticism that came because of the situation coach Saban still stands by his decision to give the troubled player a second chance.
“I’m not sorry for giving him an opportunity,” Saban said. “I’m sorry for the way things worked out. I’m not apologizing for the opportunity we gave him. I wanted to try to help the guy make it work. It didn’t, work. So we’re sorry that it didn’t work and we’re sorry there was an incident and we’re sorry for the people that were involved in the incident.
Ivan L. White is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ilwhite1
