Saban suspends four arrested players
TUSCALOOSA | Four University of Alabama football players were suspended indefinitely by coach Nick Saban Tuesday after they were arrested on charges ranging from robbery in the second degree to fraudulent use of a credit card.
Three players, D.J. Pettway, Eddie Williams and Tyler Hayes, admitted involvement in separate attacks on two students that resulted in the robbery charges in which the victims were knocked unconscious early Monday morning on the UA campus, according to the deposition.
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According to depositions filed by UA police officers, Pettway, Williams and Hayes punched a student's head and face and kicked him in the ribs and back area near a men's dorm at 12:30 a.m. Monday. Williams and Hayes admitted to the attack, which caused cuts to the victim's face, a mild concussion and severe swelling, according to the warrants.
In a second robbery, Williams admitted to police that he punched a student's head and face while Pettway and Hayes stood by and watched. He said he stole the student's wallet which contained cash, credit cards and a student identification card he said he used to buy snacks from a vending machine in the football players' dorm.
A fourth player, running back Brent Calloway, 20, was also charged with fraudulent use of a credit card after admitting that he also bought snacks with the stolen student ID card.
Hayes, 18, and Pettway, 20, were each charged with two counts of second-degree robbery. Williams, 20, was charged with second-degree robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card, after he admitted to using the student ID card to make several purchases.
"The young men charged are indefinitely suspended as we continue to gather information and talk to the appropriate people. The university and football program have strict guidelines regarding issues of this magnitude," UA coach Nick Saban said. "This behavior is unacceptable for any student-athlete at the University of Alabama and not representative of our football program."
Players suspended indefinitely by Saban at Alabama typically do not make an eventual return to the team. Most recently, wide receivers Michael Bowman, Ronald Carswell and Duron Carter were suspended indefinitely from the team in the fall of 2011. None of the three returned for the 2012 season.
"This is a very serious matter and we are very disappointed in the actions that have resulted in the charges against these student-athletes," UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore said in a release. "In this type of situation, the athletics department works in conjunction with the university. We will have more to say at the appropriate time."
University of Alabama police officers booked the four players on the felony charges around midnight Monday. One of the victims, when reached by Tidesports.com via email, declined comment. The other, reached via text message, also declined comment.
It was the second trip to jail for Williams this week. Tuscaloosa police charged him with carrying a pistol without a license on Sunday after a disturbance at the BP gas station on the Strip.
"A clerk in the store told police that Williams came into the store and was acting erratic and threatening that he had something in the trunk of his vehicle after a dispute about paying for gas," TPD Sgt. Brent Blankley said in a release. "The suspect and other occupants of the vehicle left the store and began messing with something in the trunk. The clerk then called the police."
Officers stopped the 2007 Honda Accord at Second Avenue and University Boulevard, he said. Williams was sitting in the back seat on the passenger side. Officers patted him down and found a pistol in his pants pocket, Blankley said. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and later released on $500 bond.
The University of Alabama Police Department posted information about the two robberies that were reported Monday.
Both victims told officers that they were approached by men who asked to borrow a cigarette lighter, before striking them in the head, stealing their belongings and leaving in a dark-colored SUV, according to the UAPD.
The first victim said that the robbery took place at 12:35 a.m. Monday morning in the 800 block of Campus Drive, on the sidewalk near Paty Hall. The second student was robbed at 1:20 a.m. in the 200 block of Seventh Avenue, near the UA Mineral Institute building.
Both students told police that one robber had a dark complexion, a slim build and was around 6 feet to 6 feet, 2 inches tall. He was wearing a black wind suit and a red, beanie-style hat and possibly had dreadlocks. The second suspect had a medium to dark complexion, a stocky build, was of average height and wore blue jeans and a rain coat.
"University Police Department investigators were able to develop information leading to the identification of suspects in the robberies described below," the department's chief wrote in an advisory posted on their website. "Three suspects were arrested on Feb. 11, 2013, for two counts of second degree robbery each, with a fourth suspect arrested for fraudulent use of a credit/ debit card relating to the case."
It is the second arrest for Calloway since his arrival at the Capstone. He was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession as an 18-year-old freshman in October 2011. Police stopped him for driving with no headlights on Paul W. Bryant Drive and said they found marijuana stuffed in his sock.
Calloway was granted youthful offender status, meaning that the outcome of the case is not public record.
Williams was released on $65,000 bond. Hayes and Pettway were released from jail on $60,000 bond each. Calloway was released on $5,000 bond. Jail records indicate that they were arrested around midnight and released between 3 and 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Records show a bonding company posted the bail, but don't indicate who paid the bonding company.
All four were backup players on the Crimson Tide's 2012 national championship team. Pettway is a redshirt freshman who began his career at defensive end, but had recently been moved to a linebacker position. He and Calloway, a third-year sophomore running back, and Hayes, a true freshman linebacker, played sparingly for the Crimson Tide last season. Williams, a defensive back, did not play in 2012 but practiced as a redshirt freshman.
Sports Writer Marc Torrence contributed to this report.
Twitter reaction
@kyle2lamb first it wasn't a credit card and 2 I wasn't even awake during the robbery you don't kno what happened so dont try me dude- HONEYBEAR #21 ♏ (@BrentCalloway) February 12, 2013
I just dont understand the decisions these boys make, now days. Free Scholarship, free room and free food.Why would they even take that risk- Josh Chapman (@The_Boss61) February 12, 2013
It is what it is. Always keep your hands clean. To my teammates and the fans, what you put on twitter about this incident last forever.- Cade Foster (@cadefoster01) February 12, 2013
Like it or not I know our brothers gone stick by em cause we FAMILY and we don't change up. #Fact instagr.am/p/VoyzvckQxW/- John Fulton (@_Elvis_Freshley) February 12, 2013
"He who is without sin, shall cast the first stone"......... I'll wait 😐- FEARLESS. (@CyJones_) February 12, 2013
What they did was crazy and definitely stupid but some people are going to far with comments- Courtney Upshaw (@334Upshaw41) February 12, 2013
Don't call my phone asking me nothin because I don't know nothin- Blake Sims (@_bsims6) February 12, 2013
To See God Giving talent Gone down the drain Hurts me Bad...- Ha Ha (@HaHa_CD6) February 12, 2013