TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw and a female student identified as his girlfriend were free on bond Thursday after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence and third-degree harassment.
University police charged Upshaw and Kendall Lynn Gryzb, both 19, after an altercation at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the campus recreation center, according to documents filed at Tuscaloosa County district court.
Upshaw practiced Thursday afternoon and afterward coach Nick Saban said he would not be suspended for the opener Sept. 5 against Virginia Tech but would be punished internally and placed on “behavior probation.” He said it was the first time Upshaw has had an issue on or off the field since arriving on campus.
“This is as fine a young man as we have in the program,” Saban said. “Really a great person. Really works hard academically. I couldn’t ask anybody to be a better representative of the organization than he is. He really overachieves as a football player.
“I think he was put in a little bit of an uncompromising position and didn’t handle it very well. He obviously made a mistake in how he handled the situation and I think nobody feels worse than he does.”
The 6-foot-2, 249-pound sophomore is competing with Eryk Anders for a starting job at outside linebacker, after playing in the final 13 games last season and making 22 tackles.
Arresting officer Rusty Romine said he spotted Upshaw following Gryzb in the parking lot. He said she appeared to be shouting at Upshaw after he caught up with her.
“At this time Upshaw grabbed Gryzb by the back of the neck and hair” and appeared to try to push her down, Romine wrote in a deposition and charge sheet.
He said she freed herself and attempted to hit Upshaw in the face but missed, then the player grabbed her forearm and pushed her away.
Romine said he separated the two. The officer said both indicated the altercation started after Grzyb saw Upshaw talking to another female. Grzyb said she slapped him and walked away, then Upshaw followed her, the report said.
Upshaw was a highly touted recruit out of Eufaula High School. Middle linebacker Rolando McClain said the team was behind Upshaw.
“I don’t really know the whole situation, what went down, but I know we support Courtney to the fullest,” McClain said. “It’s unfortunate that that happened, especially to him. He’s a good guy. I think he’s going to contribute to this defense.
“It happened, but it’s not going to affect us as a team.”
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Comments » 23
bobbarbilly writes:
Maybe she is one of those competing against him for the starting LB spot.
InertGas writes:
I hope he wasn't hurt too badly.
DennisVols writes:
Saban has never had back to back 10 win seasons as a college coach. This year will be interesting.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
windy writes:
Looks like Saban is one up on Kiffin already. No arrest on Kiffins team. Go Vols
TommyJack writes:
Big hair vs. a Mullet. Must have been quite a site.
lemich writes:
Hope neither one lost their tooth
murrayvol writes:
He better hope she doesn't have the Lorena Bobbitt gene.
cmoore7 writes:
It has been 0 days since a University of Alabama football player was arrested.
I guess the Jack position is still up for grabs.
TommyJack writes:
Reportedly, the lovers have since made up and are headed to Waffle House for a romantic dinner.
RollTideJoe writes:
Watch this year.
utmdm writes:
Must have been a bammer pillowmaker's dream.
utmdm writes:
Then they went to the drive thru for the honeymoon.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Of course you want them bailed out and allowed to play. If they didn't do that at UF, then Tebow would be the only Gator on the field!
huntined#565710 writes:
We have enough problems of our own don't need to spend time on a BAMA player. They will just kiss and make-up and all will be just fine.
smokyredbone writes:
They both had a tooth?
marinevol writes:
Lover's quarrel? In Alabama it's called sibling rivalry.
imavolsfanforlife writes:
"agree, as long as they aren't convicted of any felonies. DUIs, assaults, shoplifting, and other midemeanors shouldn't matter. I mean, who are we really kidding? Most of these guys are animals. It's simply a matter of taking these steroid-riddled monstrosities and re-directing their hate and aggression toward players on opposing teams. Go Vols!!!"
That's up there with the more offensive things you could say about a football player. "Most of these guys are monsters." Well our monsters have happened to stay out of trouble underneath Lane Kiffin and have earned a lot more respect than simply people who have redirected testosterone to the opposing team. Their GPAs are up. The list goes on. I think it's about a coaching staff leading the way they should lead. Developing relationships and building young men's self respect... which goes way beyond self image. Filling in where highschool coaches can no longer fill, as many HS choaches are the closest thing a lot of these guys have ever had to a father. Yeah, they are big dudes, but they are human nonetheless and society should hold the same expectations it would have over any other person should they act out. To me, your comment makes them sound either less than or more than human. Or if anything, exceptions.
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
I have found exclusive footage of the fight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOdOF...
vol1994 writes:
Watch what, more arrests?
iowavol writes:
I wasn't aware of that - very interesting indeed. I'd put the over/under at 9 wins for the Tide this year.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dupree told me she was upset over the Bama losing streak.
He is seldom worng.
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
“This is as fine a young man as we have in the program,” Saban said. “Really a great person. Really works hard academically. I couldn’t ask anybody to be a better representative of the organization than he is. He really overachieves as a football player.
Maybe, but as a man he has a long way to go. Nice try coach but you really shouldn't try to put lipstick on an elephant.
gohawks1 writes:
Behavior probation? St. Nick really runs a tight ship down there.
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