Tide’s Harris has only himself to blame for late start to the season

October 12, 2009

By Ken Rogers

What cost Alabama football players Julio Jones and Mark Ingram a few sleepless nights but no playing time cost sophomore linebacker Jerrell Harris much more.

Harris reportedly received an improper benefit (a laptop computer) from Curtis Anderson, the same person that took Jones and Ingram deep-sea fishing on spring break.

Each was deemed a minor NCAA violation. But while Jones and Ingram made restitution immediately and cooperated fully with an investigation into the fishing trip, Harris wasn’t as forthcoming with investigators. When it became evident that Harris wasn’t completely up front in the probe, his coverup was deemed much more serious than the original incident.

As a result, he was suspended six games — half the season. The sophomore from Gadsden has worked on the scout team and is expected to play, and perhaps start, this week against South Carolina.

Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t want to comment on Harris’ suspension, but couldn’t resist, either.

“It is what it is. Players have to learn that when you do the right thing, usually good things happen and when you don’t do the right thing ...” Saban said, his voice trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence.

“I’ve said it before, you have freedom of choice but you don’t have freedom from consequences. We support our players and what they do, but we also want them to learn the lessons that are going to help them be more successful.

“I certainly think Jerrell learned a lot from this and it’s going to help him be a better person and probably help him be more successful in life.”