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Alabama football players in town for the Independence Bowl didn’t waste time getting into one of the prime attractions in Shreveport: Casinos.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has prohibited his team from visiting the gambling halls. But The Oklahoman newspaper reported Tuesday that some Crimson Tide players spent Christmas Eve in casinos after arriving for the game.
The newspaper said Alabama players age 21 and older were seen ordering alcoholic drinks and betting at blackjack, roulette and poker tables.
Bama Bo said:This is a meaningless bowl game. Bowl games other than the BCS Champ game are supposedly rewards for the players. The players should be allowed to go out and have a little fun, and what the hell else are they going to do in Shreveport? As long as they are not out showing they're butts and staying out all night, what is the problem? Now tonight, they should be at the hotel resting and getting ready for the game. The report says it was Christmas eve when they were seen. I don't see that as any type of problem.
rammajamma said:Kind of reminds me of the 1990 Sugar Bowl. Bill Curry was the coach and lets the team roam Borbon Street and we get beat by Thug U. Fast forward to 1992, Gene Stallings makes a deal with the team to stay out of the bars and keep their mind on the game and they can have fun after the fact. They did, he let them have fun, we wind up with a player taking money from a agent.... Well anyway team discipline is crucial during bowl games no matter what IMO. Ask yourself WWBD? What would Bear do? I guarantee you if you don't know the answer to that then you don't know Coach Bryant very well.
CrimsonPirate said:Whether or not it's okay for a 21 year old to gamble, I think the perception, especially the perception presented in the article, is that Alabama players have been turned loose while the OSU players are on a tight rein. The article makes it sound like our guys are "drinkin' and gamblin' and raisin' hell" while the Cowboys are behaving themselves as representatives of their university should. We fired Mike Price for conduct unbecoming the head coach of the University of Alabama, but we're gonna let our players drink and gamble? Sure is a different day than when Coach Bryant was in charge.
Let me reiterate. There is nothing legally wrong with letting the older players have a little fun at the casinos, but public perception could do damage to Alabama's image.
shipley00 said:CrimsonPirate said:Whether or not it's okay for a 21 year old to gamble, I think the perception, especially the perception presented in the article, is that Alabama players have been turned loose while the OSU players are on a tight rein. The article makes it sound like our guys are "drinkin' and gamblin' and raisin' hell" while the Cowboys are behaving themselves as representatives of their university should. We fired Mike Price for conduct unbecoming the head coach of the University of Alabama, but we're gonna let our players drink and gamble? Sure is a different day than when Coach Bryant was in charge.
Let me reiterate. There is nothing legally wrong with letting the older players have a little fun at the casinos, but public perception could do damage to Alabama's image.
Let's put it this way. From what you've seen over the last few years, Would you do ANYTHING that would tick off Kines? I sure as He!! wouldn't. Discipline is not a concern for me at the moment.