Heisman winner sends message to Kirkpatrick Jr. after Alabama dismisses him

Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. was suspended and eventually kicked off the Alabama football team after he was arrested on doxing and harassing communication charges.

The charges stem from a November arrest. The defensive back allegedly sent a profane message to an officer involved in his previous arrest.

Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton addressed Kirkpatrick’s situation on “4th & 1,” and he sent a message to the young man.

“This particular situation kind of hits home because I had the opportunity to play against his dad,” Newton said. “Dre Kirkpatrick, he was one of many great Alabama players. But I’m saying that because we have to put things into perspective on one side, but also hold people accountable on all sides. This particular individual is 20 years old. Does he have life figured out already? Absolutely not. To do one thing. All right. To do two things stupid? You went from stupid to super stupid. Already started off on super stupid, so now you know what that turned into? Super duper stupid. It’s so much stupid going on… Dre Jr., to make a mistake, that’s cool. But to try to take it a step further as if you’re going to win that battle? It’s more to it than just being a football player when you have a football scholarship. You have to align with certain standards and expectations that those specific brands are expecting you to do. And that’s what all athletes need to understand. Nepotism or not, who your daddy is or not, whether you’re Chosen Newton or Camidus Newton, it don’t matter. Don’t nobody care who your daddy is. What you’re doing is wrong, and we cannot bypass that type of behavior… If you no longer can play this game of football that you had dreams and aspirations to play as early as six and seven years old, don’t have it be at the hands of a reckless decision like this.”

Kalen DeBoer announced that Kirkpatrick was dismissed from the Crimson Tide’s team earlier this week.

“After gathering more information on the situation, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. will no longer be a part of our program. He did not live up to the standards and expectations that I have set for this team and our players.”