The Alabama Crimson Tide has announced that it identified and took action against the fan seen confronting Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Raylen Wilson after Saturday’s 20-17 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The university addressed the incident on Thursday after a video emerged showing the fan heckling Wilson, striking his helmet and then shoving it as the Bulldogs left the field.
“Alabama has identified and taken appropriate action against the individual involved in videos circulating on social media following Saturday night’s football game,” Alabama athletics said. “We take matters of this nature seriously and will not tolerate this behavior.”
Alabama did not specify the punishment for the individual or whether he will be barred from attending future events.
The confrontation came amid a larger postgame scene in which some attendees threw bottles and cans toward the field as Georgia players left it.
Alabama had already condemned the conduct Sunday while saying it was gathering information.
“We are disappointed by the unacceptable behavior exhibited by some of the game’s attendees last night and are in the process of gathering information,” the school said. “Alabama takes matters of fan conduct seriously and expects everyone at our events to demonstrate respect to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials and visitors.”
Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Kirby Smart addressed Wilson’s interaction with the fan during his Monday press conference, praising his player for not escalating the situation.
“You want people to make good decisions and do things the right way,” Smart said. “Raylen certainly did there, but there’s so much that goes into that—he thought it was a Georgia fan, (that) probably helped him react the way he did initially, and it’s disappointing behavior by any fan.”
No. 6 Alabama travels to face No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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