Teammates support Tide’s suspended Smith

December 30, 2008

By Ken Rogers

There was a red flag early Monday morning about Andre Smith’s status with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The team’s offensive players went through a press conference. The Outland Trophy winner wasn’t there.

A couple hours later, everyone knew why.

Suspended. Sent home. And now a state attorney general’s office inquiry into allegations that there was improper contact with an agent.
While the NFL awaits with open arms, this can’t be the way anyone wanted Andre Smith to close out his college career.

Neither of the two seniors who spoke after Monday’s practice were angry at Smith.

Asked if he felt let down, center Antoine Caldwell said, “Not really. Whatever happened has happened. I know Andre, he’s a great person, a great kid, a great football player. And I know that whatever happened was just luck of the draw, I guess — something that just happened.”

Caldwell said he was disappointed, but remembers that he was suspended for four games last year as the school investigated improper receipt of textbooks allegations.

“I can relate myself, I was in a situation like myself last year (textbook scandal). I felt like I let the team down in some way. You’ve just got to bounce back from it. He knows we’ve got his back and we’ve got to be ready to play this game on Friday.”

Quarterback John Parker Wilson knows Smith has had his back for three years. Wilson had Smith’s on Monday.

Asked if he felt let down, Wilson said, “To tell you the truth, I don’t know the circumstances, so I’m going to say one way or another.”

The quarterback said he supports his left tackle.

“Totally, he is a great guy, and no matter what happened, he is still a good friend,” Wilson said.