Class and Tradition

It’s the Bama way and they are still following a very old playbook. The fanbase has been groomed to ignore the most antisocial of behaviors.

November 1981


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama fullback Ken Simon, charged with firing a shotgun at two law students, will remain on the team and play Saturday against fifth-ranked Penn State, Coach Bear Bryant said Wednesday.

Simon is free on $2,000 bond. The Montgomery junior allegedly fired at the car of the law students after a near traffic accident last week.

'The university police investigated and came to my office the next day and explained it to me and told me that none of our rules and regulations had been violated, including the (team) curfew,' said Bryant.

'A little while after that, Kenny came to see me and explained it to me about the same way and I didn't see anything he had done wrong except that I thought he used very poor judgment,' said Bryant in his weekly news conference.

Bryant said Simon offered to quit the team, but he decided not to accept his offer.

'I came to the conclusion that he is innocent of any wrongdoing as far as our department is concerned,' said Bryant. 'I am very proud to say that I'm going to stick by him just like any parent would his son.'