As usual with anything that Alabama does, the people most affected typically reside in Lee County.
No fanbase has been more predictably outspoken against Alabama over the Charles Bediako situation than Auburn. That includes their hypocritical former coach, who took a major shot at Nate Oats, calling the Tide head coach "selfish" over his decision to play Bediako despite the NCAA's objections.
Pearl has had several well-documented run-ins with the NCAA and a history of selfish behavior himself. He's certainly not one to talk, but Auburn and taking the sanctimonious high ground go together like peas and carrots.
Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne has been quiet about everything regarding Bediako since his initial statement of support for him and Oats. In a recent interview with John Canzano, Byrne had an opening to respond to Pearl's comments.
He took the high road instead, but not without a subtle jab.
"The Bible says, he who is without sin shall cast the first stone, and so I try to do my best to live within those parameters," Byrne said.
"Are you saying Bruce Pearl has some sins?" Canzano asked.
"We all do," Byrne responded.
Greg Byrne took a classy approach to Bruce Pearl's Nate Oats comments
It has undoubtedly been difficult for Byrne and Oats (for the most part) to stay quiet with all the negative press they've received. It has been frustrating, to say the least. But perhaps national perception is turning.
Jay Bilas's comments on Monday should resonate. And it's only a matter of time before someone else in a similar situation to Bediako challenges the NCAA in court again. All it will take is a friendlier judge than Bediako got to allow that player eligibility.
College sports have a way of producing hypocrites. Pearl is chief among them. He's far from the only one. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan cast a stone from inside his glass house, though he walked back those comments in a phone conversation with Oats.
At the end of the day, it would have been fun had Byrne chosen to go scorched earth on Pearl. The former Auburn head coach spent a career giving ammunition for it. But Byrne chose to take the high road, which was the right decision.