The past three days have been eventful for Tuscaloosa.
As the University of Alabama welcomed its student body back and the football team geared up to begin fall camp, there was still room for some controversy with all that’s happened.
A photo that went viral after getting posted by an Alabama offensive lineman showed a large group of people not wearing masks as they waited to enter a local Tuscaloosa bar. This photo surfaced not too long after the SEC confirmed that it was going to move forward with its season, but in order to do so positive tests for COVID-19 must be kept under control.
During his press conference on Monday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked about the photo and he gave his take on what should happen.
“I think democracy is great, and I think people who have all these freedoms, I think that’s all great,” said Saban. “But I think there’s one thing that’s probably a common denominator that really makes all that work, and that’s that people have great moral integrity in the choices and decisions that they make.
“I’m not criticizing anybody here but a lot of people have asked that wear masks when we’re in public — when we’re in crowds, when we’re in large groups of people, that we keep social distanced. I don’t think they’re doing it just for the heck of it. I think there’s a reason for it. We’re trying to control the spread of this disease.”
Saban has been on the record saying that the safest place for the student-athletes is to remain on campus and within the structure of an athletic program. That sentiment may still reign true as long as the student-athletes are following the proper rules and protocols laid out by the university and city.
“I think our ability to do that is going to go a long way in seeing whether we can play football or not,” said Saban. “But bigger than that, it’s just your own personal bubble for your own personal safety. Every one of these students to take proper care of themselves and respect the proper protocols that people are recommending for your safety. I just think that’s the smart thing to do.”
In the past few weeks, the Alabama football team has had less than a one percent positivity rate for COVID-19 amongst the team according to Saban.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
