Stay Classy, Tuscaloosa

I saw the news early this morning that a University of Alabama starting defensive end, Brandon Deaderick was shot outside his apartment late last night during a robbery attempt.

(CSTV.com)

He’s in good condition with a wounded forearm, and there will be a statement from Coach Nick Saban sometime so0n. It would surprise me if Deaderick played in the season opener this coming Saturday against Virginia Tech.

This is not a sports site, so those of you who know me know there is another motive for this post. And it has to do with common reactions to news such as this.

First of all, there’s no indication whatsoever that Deaderick brought this on himself, or was involved with people he shouldn’t have been around. In situations where that’s the case, fans often will turn on the player, or at least disassociate for a little while.

Here, however, is a starting defensive end for a top-ten college program about to face another opponent in the top ten. You’re going to see messages of support and encouragement – and for some it will become a rallying cry:

It takes more than bullets to stop the Tide!

This is precisely the thing I want to encourage Alabama fans in the Georgia Dome to avoid.

The memory of the tragedy at Virginia Tech is still very much alive, the nerves still raw. Hokie upperclassmen had their entire college experience transformed by what they saw. I know people here who lost very close friends among the 32 people slain.

If you want to make signs supporting Brandon Deaderick, by all means, do so.

Just remember that the vast majority of the ESPN television audience will not think of Brandon Deaderick when they see signs about guns and bullets. They will think of Virginia Tech, and they will think very poorly of Alabama fans for engaging in what appears to be very poor taste.

I am not an extremist when it comes to Political Correctness, and this isn’t a matter of being PC. It’s a case of recognizing the reality of others’ perceptions, and not bringing undue criticism on the school I love.

Roll Tide! Beat the Hokies! (but don’t give the rest of the world the wrong idea about who we are and what we stand for…)

…and please pass this along to Tide fans you know who are going to the game.

Stay Classy, Tuscaloosa.