Alabama defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand was arrested for DUI. How will Nick Saban handle this situation?
The FSU football defense will not be at full strength in the first half against Alabama due to a dumb targeting call in the Orange Bowl against Trey Marshall.
Will Alabama’s defense suffer a similar fate since defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand was arrested for DUI Saturday morning?
College football fans are well aware of the way Nick Saban handles off the field issues.
It’s almost like they never happen because most media seemingly don’t care to mention them.
Alabama's 2014 No. 1 recruit Da’Shawn Hand arrested for DUI https://t.co/sh0IwrpCZR pic.twitter.com/EG49ae9w73
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 29, 2017
Don’t believe me? Why else would fans react in this fashion on Twitter?
Da'Shawn Hand to my knowledge has not been in trouble before. Saban tends to only suspend repeat type offenders. I wouldn't assume much.
— Jimmy Stein (@qb_country) July 29, 2017
How much you'll wanna bet he still plays against FSU.... #GoNoles #FSUTwitter @ChopChat_ https://t.co/Vgt9zyQBTG
— B. J. (@SlickMick8095) July 29, 2017
He will definitely be suspended for the FSU game. And by that I mean their 2nd game vs Fresno State. https://t.co/FpYOkvy5x6
— JⓂ️🅰️ (@J_Nole22) July 29, 2017
Nick Saban’s Response
Da'Shawn Hand to my knowledge has not been in trouble before. Saban tends to only suspend repeat type offenders. I wouldn't assume much.
— Jimmy Stein (@qb_country) July 29, 2017
This is a standard response from Saban, almost identical to what he said when Alphonse Taylor got a DUI charge last season.
Thoughts
Listen, we were all young at one point in our lives and made irrational decisions. Most of the time we didn’t get caught and we count our lucky stars.
However, driving under the influence can’t be taken lightly as Hand not only put himself in danger, but potentially anyone on the same road as him Saturday morning.
It warrants a suspension and Alabama has already set that precedent last season when Alphonse Taylor was suspended indefinitely from the team for a DUI charge. Taylor returned to play before being sidelined for the season with concussion issues.
Other Power 5 programs have felt the same way. In fact, Georgia suspended a defensive lineman two games for a DUI charge last year.
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Da’Shawn Hand was in line to be a starter on Alabama’s defensive line and would be a big loss should Saban suspend him for the opener against FSU.