Alabama football’s athletic director was firm in his response to students avoiding mask ordinances.
Before the college football season happens, we have to watch how colleges handle students returning to campus. If Alabama football players are going to share classrooms with students, everyone is going to have to do their part. That did not happen on Sunday as students lined up outside a bar within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The moment was magnified by Chris Owens after he posted a picture of it on Twitter, asking people to socially distance and wear a mask. Since that tweet, many outlets have picked up the story. It was followed by Alabama’s athletic director and Tuscaloosa’s mayor posting responses that held back no punches. Let’s start with Greg Byrne’s post.
https://twitter.com/Greg_Byrne/status/1295109367201705984?s=20
Greg Byrne made his point blatantly clear. If you want an Alabama football season, actions like these cannot continue. Cases have been dropping in the state of Alabama thanks to Governor Ivey’s mask ordinance, but they need to continue to decline. Some might consider AD Byrne’s comments severe, but we are dealing with a severe situation.
Greg Byrne has the support of students and fans for everything he’s done in recent memory. He always proves that he has Alabama’s best interests at heart. Maybe a little brutal honesty from him will get students to take this moment seriously.
Shortly after we heard from Alabama football’s athletic director, the mayor of Tuscaloosa responded.
Why? We are desperately trying to protect @tuscaloosacity - We are trying to have college football season. We have been running details for 3 straight nights. @TuscaloosaPD is stretched thin between COVID-19 and these details. We will be requesting daytime help from #UAPD. https://t.co/ZHCR2XAk8F
— Walt Maddox (@WaltMaddox) August 16, 2020
He went on to explain that his police officers are already working too much to handle the COVID-19 crisis. He implored students to do their part for the sake of the city, the University, and the front-line workers. If that’s not enough, it can even potentially save the Alabama football season.
This will be an interesting story to watch as classes are set to resume on Wednesday. As a fellow Alabama student, I just hope that cases don’t start to rise again now that all students are back in Tuscaloosa.