Ryan Grubb Apologizes After Alabama Fans Take Issue With Controversial Comment
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As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for South Carolina this Saturday, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb rubbed some Alabama fans the wrong way on Monday.
During Monday’s coaches press conferences, Grubb opened up his portion with a recap of how the gameplan went against Florida State.
Alabama went down to start the game 21-6 to the Seminoles, leaving the Crimson Tide faithful confused and angry. However, it was the Tide that prevailed, walking away with a 50-36 victory.
It’s been the story of the Tide’s season thus far. Alabama has started games slowly before ultimately pulling away for a convincing victory.
Grubb acknowledged the anger in the stands and credited the players for not wallowing. But the words he used almost sounded like he was calling out the fans.
“I told the guys, I said, shoot, guys, if you'd have quit as fast as some of your fans. S**t, we wouldn't have won that game.”
The comments quickly drew criticism from Alabama fans.
“If you’d dialed up a touchdown as fast as you deflect accountability and throw the fans footing your paycheck under the bus, we wouldn’t be having this conversation now would we,” one fan on X said.
“This is nuts,” another fan wrote. “He should be commending fans that stayed through multiple lightning delays until the end of the game. We arrived at the stadium at 12:30 pm and watched a day game turn into a night game. We were not alone.”
Later Monday, Grubb addressed the backlash with a lengthy message posted by Yea Alabama's X account.
“My passion for The University of Alabama football team runs deep…I should have worded my statement today more carefully. This is a special place with an incredible fanbase that all of us are thankful for. I have been spoiled by our great fans who are a sense of inspiration for our players. I let my loyalty and passion for my players affect my choice of words and offend some people that I certainly would have never intended to – the Crimson Tide faithful – and for that I apologize…”
Alabama will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, hosting South Carolina under the lights at 6 p.m. CT.
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