Tide’s Smith suspended for Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Outland Trophy winner and first-team All-American left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended for the Sugar Bowl.

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said the suspension was due to a violation of team rules and policies. The coach released a short statement announcing the suspension of the junior from Birmingham.

“Andre Smith has been suspended from participating in the Sugar Bowl due to a violation of team rules and policies,” Saban’s statement reads. “The University of Alabama, the team and the football program are more important than any individual player. Everyone one our team depends on each other to be responsible to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions.

“Andre Smith has done an outstanding job in our program as a person, student and a player and we will do all we can as an institution to support him in all future endeavors.

“Our priority and focus as a team is to play the best football game of the season in this Sugar Bowl and to support our players to overcome any adversity this unfortunate situation has created.”