Alabama head coach Nick Saban released a statement amid accusations that Crimson Tide wide receiver Jermaine Burton allegedly struck a female Tennessee fan on the field following Saturday’s game in Knoxville.
On Wednesday, Saban said the program is aware of the situation in a statement released through the school’s athletic department.
“We are aware of the situation with Jermaine Burton as he was exiting the field Saturday. We are currently working to gather more information,” Saban said.
“I think it’s a difficult situation. It’s a difficult situation for the league, it’s a difficult situation for all of us that are in this situation,” the statement read. “We certainly don’t condone any mistreatment of anybody, whether they should or shouldn’t be there. I think you’ve gotta have respect for other people.”
After Tennessee’s 52-49 win over Alabama, video footage of Volunteers fans rushing the field appeared to show Burton make contact with a female fan as he was exiting the field.
The Tennessee fan, Emily Isaacs, posted the video to her TikTok account, and later confirmed to OutKick that it was her in the video. She had no further comment.
On Wednesday, Isaacs made her TikTok account private.
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Getty Images
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) makes a catch as he’s defended by Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) on Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. APAccording to OutKick, a TikTok user accused Isaacs of sticking her phone in the face of Burton prior to the alleged incident. Isaacs reportedly responded to that comment on TikTok, saying that her phone died in the first quarter and it was in her purse after that.
Burton has not yet been disciplined by Alabama as of Wednesday. The wide receiver has not addressed the situation publicly.
Per the Southeastern Conference rules, fans are not allowed on the field following any game. The SEC fined Tennessee $100,000 for fans storming the field after Saturday’s game.
“This is why we have these rules,” an SEC official told ESPN Wednesday. “It was a great scene, but it’s also a recipe for disaster when you have emotional players walking off the field and fans running around by them and celebrating.”
Burton transferred to Alabama in the offseason after two seasons with Georgia, including the national championship game against the Crimson Tide in January.
