Leading into Alabama’s game against Mississippi State on Saturday, a big question was what the availability of wide receiver Jermaine Burton would be.
Burton was involved in an altercation with a Tennessee fan last week following the Crimson Tide’s loss as the fans stormed the field. Saban released a statement earlier in the week saying that the team was aware of the situation and would handle it internally.
Once Saturday rolled around, fans saw Burton play without restriction as he even got the start against the Bulldogs.
Following the game, Saban explained why Burton was able to play in the game and the thinking behind his decision. He also cleared up a prior report on the broadcast stating that Burton is not in anger management and is in a different form of counseling.
“I don’t know how many of you have been in a situation like that,” Saban said. “He was scared. I was scared. Some of our other players were scared. I think you learn to respect other people because we have a responsibility to do that regardless of the circumstance that we’re in.
“I talked to the guy, we have him in a counseling program. It’s not an anger management program which people announced today, nobody ever said that. It’s not the problem. It’s not the issue. But it’s about having the proper respect for other people and I didn’t think it was necessary to suspend the guy.
“If you knew the whole story maybe you wouldn’t either but I’m not gonna divulge that.”
Burton finished the game with two receptions for 40-yards in Alabama’s 30-6 win over Mississippi State.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
