Stabler takes leave from University of Alabama broadcasts
With a court case pending on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, University of Alabama football radio analyst Kenny Stabler has decided to sit this football season out.
The former Alabama All-America quarterback will be replaced for the time being by Tom Roberts, familiar to Crimson Tide fans for his work as studio host of the game day broadcasts after serving as sideline reporter from 1998-2006.
Stabler maintains his innocence on charges stemming from his arrest at 1 a.m. Sunday, June 8, in Robertsdale, and called his decision not to be part of the broadcast team for the coming season “a leave of absence.”
Both Stabler and officials from Crimson Tide Sports Marketing apparently leave open the possibility of Stabler returning to the broadcast team for the 2009 season.
“I am announcing today that I am taking a leave of absence from my position as the color analyst for the University of Alabama for the 2008 season to give me time to vigorously fight the allegations that have been made against me,” Stabler said in a statement. “I did not break the law and I maintain my innocence. I have faith in our judicial system and I fully expect to be exonerated.”
Jim Carabin, general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing and producer of the Crimson Tide Sports Network, was on vacation and unavailable for comment.
However, Carabin did release a statement saying, “We regret that Kenny will not be part of our broadcast team during the upcoming season, but we accept and understand his decision. We are entirely supportive of Kenny and his family and feel that this is the right thing for them at this time.”
al.com
7/12/08
