Photos that circulated Sunday on social media of large crowds outside Tuscaloosa bars and people not wearing masks drew nationwide attention and the ire of an Alabama offensive lineman, athletic director Greg Byrne and city mayor Walt Maddox.
The most prominent voice in the state, Nick Saban, was asked during his video news conference Monday about the issue and added his perspective.
“I think democracy is great, and I think people who have all these freedoms, I think that’s all great,” Saban said. “But I think there’s one thing that’s probably a common denominator that really makes all that work, and that’s that people have great moral integrity in the choices and decisions that they make.
“I’m not criticizing anybody here but a lot of people have asked that wear masks when we’re in public — when we’re in crowds, when we’re in large groups of people, that we keep social distanced. I don’t think they’re doing it just for the heck of it. I think there’s a reason for it. We’re trying to control the spread of this disease.”
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Saban, who released public service announcements about mask-wearing through the university in March and again in May, continued to associate following COVID-19 rules with a chance to play football this fall.
“I think our ability to do that is going to go a long way in seeing whether we can play football or not,” he said. “But bigger than that, it’s just your own personal bubble for your own personal safety. Every one of these students to take proper care of themselves and take the proper protocols that people are recommending for your safety. I just think that’s the smart thing to do.”
Additional police were called into work Sunday to help enforce mask laws. Tuscaloosa police issued 12 citations and made four arrests for charges including mask violations, obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
The owner of Gallettes, a popular bar on the Strip, said his establishment “did nothing wrong” and followed applicable laws in reaction to the social media backlash.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.
